The Debrecen Appellate Chief Prosecutor’s Office has proposed upholding the sentence of a man who attacked public workers with a chainsaw in Debrecen.
According to the verdict, the defendant, who has a hot-tempered and aggressive nature, consumed a large amount of alcohol with a friend. By early afternoon, they had run out of alcohol, so the intoxicated man—also under the influence of another psychoactive substance—went out to buy more. In front of the store, he encountered three public workers and began harassing them without any provocation. A verbal altercation ensued but was broken up by a store employee. However, in a disturbed state, the defendant resolved to take revenge. He hurried home and returned with a running chainsaw, threatening to kill the workers. While the victims tried to fend off the attack with a brush cutter, the defendant managed to cause a 10-centimeter head injury to one of the public workers with the chainsaw. More serious consequences were averted thanks to the victims’ firm response and the timely arrival of the police.
The Debrecen Regional Court sentenced the defendant to 6 years and 8 months in prison and banned him from public affairs for 7 years for attempted murder. He is not eligible for parole.
The defendant and his lawyer appealed the verdict, initially seeking acquittal and alternatively requesting a reduction in the sentence.
The Debrecen Appellate Chief Prosecutor’s Office considers the court’s ruling lawful and well-founded. The defendant, who has a criminal record and lives an alcohol-abusing lifestyle, was aware that he becomes aggressive when intoxicated, yet again acted under the influence of substances that heightened his impulsivity. His behavior was aimed at taking a human life, and the fact that this did not occur was purely a matter of chance. Given these circumstances, the appellate prosecutor’s office has moved to uphold the original verdict.
The case continues at the Debrecen Court of Appeal.
(ugyeszseg.hu)
