Courts / Limerick / Report
Lies do not make an accused guilty, defence tell murder trial jury
Summary
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the defence counsel, Mr Mark Nicholas SC, argued that telling lies does not automatically make a person guilty. He represented 35‑year‑old Monika Matracka, charged with murdering her housemate and former partner Michal Rejmer, 38, at The Pines, Briarfield, Castletroy, Limerick. The alleged murder occurred sometime between 8 pm on 30 December and midnight on 31 December 2015. Mr Nicholas highlighted that Ms Matracka concealed the body, disposed of evidence, and lied to Gardaí, but he maintained that these actions alone did not prove guilt. He urged the jury to consider Dr Marie Cassidy's forensic testimony, which suggested Rejmer's death resulted from bleeding from stab wounds to his arms, complicated by a head injury. Mr Nicholas contended that the force used by Ms Matracka could be seen as reasonable self‑defence, potentially reducing the charge to manslaughter. Monika Matracka pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Lies do not make an accused guilty, defence tell murder trial jury. Charges or matters: a charge of murdering Michal Rejmer (38) at that address at a time unknown between 8pm on December 30 and midnight on December 31, 2015. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- December 30 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 31, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 6, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 30, 2015 Other
- January 8 Other
- 2017-02-17 Publication
Why: Mr Nicholas told the court that the prosecution said Ms Matracka lied and because she lied that made her a murderer. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a charge of murdering Michal Rejmer (38) at that address at a time unknown between 8pm on December 30 and midnight on December 31, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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