Courts / Laois / Report

Witness watched TV as murder accused ran at deceased with knife

Date
2016-06-15

Stage
Trial

Court
Co Laois. The Central Criminal Court

Primary locality
Portarlington

County
Laois

Summary

In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a 49‑year‑old witness, Rimas Sodaitis, testified that he was watching television when he saw the accused, 38‑year‑old Deivydas Zigelis, run toward the deceased, 26‑year‑old Alexander Karpov, with a knife. Sodaitis described a prior conflict between the accused and the deceased, noting that they had been drinking vodka and cider and had been shouting. He said the accused grabbed a knife from a small table, kicked the table, and ran toward Karpov. Sodaitis claimed he did not see what happened next, but later saw blood and heard the accused ask where it was coming from. He also reported that the accused cleaned up the blood before calling emergency services. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Butler. The unnamed 49-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness watched TV as murder accused ran at deceased with knife. Charges or matters: murdering him at the house; the Latvian's manslaughter. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 15th, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-06-15 Publication

Why: A witness has told a murder trial that he continued watching television when he saw the accused run towards the deceased with a knife because there were often conflicts in their house. CNI source report