Deivydas Zigelis pleads guilty to manslaughter and denies murder

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Deivydas Zigelis has pleaded not guilty to murdering Alexander Karpov and guilty to his manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 15 June 2016.

Alexander Karpov, 26, died from a single stab wound to the heart at a house on Spa Street in Portarlington on 15 February 2014.

Rimas Sodaitis testified that he and Alexander Karpov drank vodka while Deivydas Zigelis drank cider. He said Deivydas Zigelis grabbed a knife and ran towards Alexander Karpov after the two men began shouting at each other. Rimas Sodaitis said he continued watching television because conflicts were common in the house. He said he did not see what happened next.

Rimas Sodaitis said that when he looked back, Deivydas Zigelis was easing Alexander Karpov on to the floor. He initially thought Alexander Karpov had been punched. He said Deivydas Zigelis later tried to wake Alexander Karpov, cleaned up blood and called the emergency number.

Garda John Masterson testified that Rimas Sodaitis said he had murdered his friend. Garda John Masterson agreed with the defence that this untrue statement could have resulted from anguish at his friend’s death or complete intoxication. The court heard that both Rimas Sodaitis and Deivydas Zigelis were deemed unfit to be interviewed for several hours because of their intoxication.

The trial was continuing before Mr Justice Paul Butler.