- Attempted homicide conviction using a cutting tool, subjected to probationary period.
Brought to Justice Following a Box Cutter Attack
As a consequence of a box cutter assault, a 40-year-old individual from Poland was given a probationary sentence of two years by the Regional Court of Hamburg. The court's press office revealed that the accused was found guilty of attempting murder and inflicting serious bodily harm. The panel agreed with the defense's plea for leniency. The prosecution had requested a three-year jail term. Probationary sentences are only applicable for imprisonment terms of up to two years. Initially, the 40-year-old was found not guilty.
Alleged Incident
The defendant is reported to have attempted to stab another man in the neck in the Hausbruch district on December 31, 2020. However, the 25-year-old man was able to evade the attack and hold the defendant's hand. The victim sustained a four-centimeter-long wound on his chin.
The defendant confessed to the crime during the retrial, according to a court representative. In a written statement, he claimed that he had acted in a furious state, which he finds hard to comprehend today.
First Instance Acquittal
In the initial trial in December 2022, the Regional Court acquitted the defendant since his guilt could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. A psychiatric expert testified in court that due to drug and alcohol consumption, the accused might have thought evil intentions were coming from his opponent. The defendant himself claimed he could not recall the sequence of events.
Upon appeal by the Prosecutor General's Office, the Federal Court of Justice reversed the verdict and ordered a new trial. The latest verdict of the Regional Court can still be challenged in a higher court.
The box cutter attack was classified as a crime due to its violent nature and potential to cause serious harm. The defendant's confession during the retrial acknowledged his involvement in the crime.
