Courts / Longford / Report

Jury deliberating in drug dealer's murder trial

Summary

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberating in the trial of a 25-year-old Longford man charged with murder. Rihards Lavickis, of Annaly Court, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Akadiusz Czajkowski at Rue Noyal Chatillon, Townspark, on November 1, 2016, but guilty to manslaughter. The court heard that Mr Lavickis admits to stabbing the 31-year-old. He claimed the deceased had previously demanded repayment of a drug debt and assaulted him, and that he armed himself with a knife intending only to frighten Mr Czajkowski after discovering his windows had been smashed. Mr Lavickis told the trial he experienced a loss of control upon seeing the deceased. Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh directed the jury that provocation could reduce a murder conviction to manslaughter. Deliberations commenced this morning, with jurors having spent approximately one hour and 33 minutes considering the evidence by lunchtime.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in drug dealer's murder trial. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Akadiusz 'Arek' Czajkowski at Rue Noyal Chatillon, Townspark. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 1, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-02-27 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report