Courts / Louth / Report
Jury to continue deliberations in body-in-basement trial
Summary
In a trial held at the Central Criminal Court, a jury will resume deliberations on a case involving Aivars Sondors, a 54‑year‑old Latvian, who faces three counts of assisting an offender without reasonable excuse. Sondors is accused of helping Marius Gaizutis evade capture and prosecution after Gaizutis murdered 44‑year‑old Lithuanian Audrius Butkus on 9 or 10 September 2013. The alleged assistance includes moving Butkus's body from the shared house on Marsh Road in Drogheda to the sea at Mornington Beach, cleaning the scene, and disposing of carpet, clothing, a nail brush, a bin bag, bottles and tins from the Burke House on Mathew's Lane. Gaizutis has already been convicted of the murder, which involved him striking Butkus with the blunt end of an axe. Sondors has pleaded not guilty to all three counts, claiming duress and that he acted under the killer's orders.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury to continue deliberations in body-in-basement trial. 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
- 2016-06-07 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