The court sentenced the perpetrator to 23 years in prison and ordered €77,000 in damages, slightly less than the 25 years sought by the prosecution for manslaughter.
The incident unfolded on a Sunday morning, 9 April 2023, prompting an emergency response that unfortunately arrived too late for the 38-year-old victim.
The evening began in Dudelange bars, where the accused and victim likely first crossed paths. They, along with another friend, later gathered at the accused’s home for another drink.
As the night progressed, tensions escalated when the accused suspected the victim of theft. He proceeded to threaten the victim with a kitchen knife. The latter took a step back.
The question that arose during the trial was: What happened after that?
The defence argued that the victim made a sudden movement, while the prosecution contended that the victim “did not fall onto the knife.” Regardless, the accused ended up stabbing the victim in the neck, and despite the defendant’s attempts at first aid, the victim bled to death at the scene.
During the trial, the defendant claimed the stabbing was accidental, emphasising no intention to harm the victim.
The judges delivered a 23-year prison sentence. The judgment remains subject to appeal, with the defendant having 40 days to contest the decision.
