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Murder accused believed he was in "life and death struggle", defence tells jury

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 14 July 2016, the defence of 38‑year‑old Polish man Andrzej Wawrzyniak argued that he killed his housemate Jacek Kozakiewicz (44) in a "life and death struggle". Wawrzyniak, who has no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to the murder and had pleaded guilty to a second count of assault causing harm to Filip Talaj (31) at the same derelict pub on 26 February 2014. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC described the squat where five homeless Poles lived as "dark and unpleasant" and said Wawrzyniak was attacked first, feeling he might die. He cited Kozakiewicz's violent past and alleged that Wawrzyniak was panicking and terrified. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC countered that the evidence showed Kozakiewicz was drunk and asleep, that Wawrzyniak stabbed him 22 times in cold blood, and that the motive may have been bitterness or drunken rage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused believed he was in "life and death struggle", defence tells jury. Charges or matters: murdering Jacek Kozakiewicz (44), at a derelict pub on Dublin's North Wall Quay on February 26, 2014; a second count of assault causing harm to Filip Talaj (31), at the same place on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 26, 2014 Incident
• 2016-07-14 Publication

Why: Mr McGinn said the motive might have been that Mr Wawrzyniak was bitter after having many arguments with Jacek in the couple of months they had lived together at the squat. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Pubs And Nightclubs Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report