On 12 October 2023, a violent attack unfolded at the municipal square in Esch/Alzette, with a man sustaining injuries after being struck in the face. Swift action from the police at the time is believed to have prevented further harm.
Ahead of the altercation, several individuals had gathered near the municipality to consume illicit substances. The victim shared a joint with the alleged perpetrator’s girlfriend, but, after taking a drag, he is said to have tossed it in front of the woman, seated too far to hand it to him. As one does in those situations, the victim later explained to the judge.
The woman at the time told her partner, “look, he treats me like a dog”, at which point the defendant allegedly became enraged and attacked the victim. “After he finished mistreating me, he came at me with a knife. With the grip of it, he struck me on the head”, recounted the victim.
While not sustaining any stabbing wounds, the man still suffered a broken cheekbone, worsened vision, two possibly broken or sprained vertebrae, and his eyes were swollen shut.
His head still shows several visible scars and the man faces ongoing psychological difficulties in processing the entire event. “Every time I see him in Esch, I fear it could happen again. But he leaves me alone”, the victim told the judge while admitting that he still occasionally uses cocaine at home, though he no longer considers himself part of the local drug scene.
The accused man is currently free and did not attend the trial in the city. He is reportedly no longer concerned with his case and has no lawyer.
“He completely lost control and assaulted the victim”, said the prosecutor’s representative in her brief indictment, urging the judges to consider voluntary manslaughter. After all, it could not be ruled out that the attack could have led to death, she asserted while expressing her belief that the accused remains unaware of his guilt.
A psychiatric expert found no illness or disorder in the accused to explain his behaviour. A police officer, who was present at the scene on the day of the incident, told the judges that it quickly became apparent the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol “because he didn’t appear normal”.
For attempted manslaughter, sentences between 20 and 30 years in prison are foreseen. Since the accused perpetrator has no significant prior convictions, the prosecutor is asking for a 20-year prison sentence.
The civil party is demanding compensation of €20,000 for the victim.
The verdict will be delivered on 13 March.
