Courts / Louth / Report
Jury begins deliberating in trial of man accused of body disposal
Summary
The jury has begun deliberations in the trial of Aivars Sondors, a 54‑year‑old Latvian, charged with three counts of assisting an offender without reasonable excuse. The charges relate to the disposal of the body of 44‑year‑old Lithuanian Audrius Butkus, who was murdered by Marius Gaizutis. Sondors is accused of moving the body from the house he shared with Gaizutis on Marsh Road in Drogheda to the sea at Mornington Beach, cleaning up the scene at Marsh Road, and disposing of carpet, clothing, a nail brush, bin bag, bottles and tins from the scene at the Burke House on Mathew's Lane. He has pleaded not guilty to all three counts, claiming duress and that he acted under the killer's orders. The Central Criminal Court has heard that Gaizutis has already been convicted of the murder. The jury, consisting of nine men and three women, began deliberating in the afternoon and will resume on Tuesday.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury begins deliberating in trial of man accused of body disposal. Charges or matters: all three counts; three counts of assisting an offender without reasonable excuse on September 9th or 10th 2013 by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Marius Gaizutis, knowing that he had killed 44-year-old Lithuanian Audrius Butkus. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- September 9th Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-06-03 Publication
Why: His barrister suggested in his closing speech that his client committed the offences because he was in fear of death or serious injury at the hands of the killer. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: three counts of assisting an offender without reasonable excuse on September 9th or 10th 2013 by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Marius Gaizutis, knowing that he had killed 44-year-old Lithuanian Audrius Butkus; all three counts (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Convicted Person
Charges: all three counts (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Marsh Road
- Mathew's Lane
- Burke House
- Drogheda. The Central Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- Dangerous driver gave gardai the 'middle finger' and hit speeds of 170km/h on M1
- On-bail home invader who dragged car owner along ground has sentence cut
- Judge rejects Gill's arguments against extradition for Robbie Lawlor murder
- 'My 46 years working…what was it all for?' veteran office staff say they were excluded after merger with 'younger' firm
- Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request