Courts / Louth / Report

Deceased died from blunt force trauma to the head, murder trial hears

Date
2015-04-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Louth

County
Louth

Summary

The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the murder trial of Marius Gaizutis (52), who is charged with murdering Audrius Butkus (44) at Marsh Road, Drogheda, on September 9 or 10, 2013. Gaizutis pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter; the State rejected this plea, and a jury was sworn in. Co-accused Aivers Sonders (53) faces three counts of assisting an offender by impeding Gaizutis's apprehension, to which he pleaded not guilty. State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy testified that Butkus died from blunt force trauma to the head, consistent with strikes from an object with a rectangular surface. She noted extensive skull damage, over forty fresh injuries, and chronic alcohol use, concluding the assault was sustained and violent. Detective Sergeant Liam Archbold presented Gaizutis's statements, in which he alleged a struggle involving a broken bottle and claimed he used an axe in self-defense before ordering Sonders to dispose of the body. The trial is ongoing, with the judge adjourning proceedings to Monday at 2 pm.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Deceased died from blunt force trauma to the head, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Audrius Butkus (44) at that address on the 9th or 10th of September, 2013; murder but guilty to manslaughter when he was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday; three counts of assisting an offender on the same dates by impeding Mr Gaizutis's apprehension or prosecution; all three counts. Procedural stage: trial

When:

September 30 2013 Incident
September 9 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-04-23 Publication

Case subjects

Co-accused Aivers Sonders

Co Accused

Charges: three counts of assisting an offender on the same dates by impeding Mr Gaizutis's apprehension or prosecution; all three counts (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Marius Gaizutis

Accused

Charges: murdering Audrius Butkus (44) at that address on the 9th or 10th of September, 2013; murder but guilty to manslaughter when he was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday; three counts of assisting an offender on the same dates by impeding Mr Gaizutis's apprehension or prosecution; all three counts (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty