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Vilnius Murder Case: Appeal Court Upholds Lengthy Sentences

VILNIUS, Feb. 25, 2025 – The Lithuanian court of Appeal has affirmed the sentences for two men convicted in the brutal 2022 murder of a 65-year-old man in Vilnius. M. Smaguras received an eight-year prison sentence for murder motivated by self-interest, while his accomplice, D. Maisiejus, a repeat offender with prior convictions for murder and sexual offenses, will serve 13 years.

Appeal Rejected: “Sentences Were Deserved”

The appellate court reviewed the appeals filed by both Smaguras and Maisiejus,who argued that their sentences were excessively harsh. The court, however, found their claims to be without merit, stating that the lower court’s ruling would remain in effect. According to the court of appeal, the “sentences were deserved.” This decision underscores the severity of the crime and the justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.

The Gruesome Details of the 2022 Murder

The murder occurred on Nov. 21,2022,on Linksmoji Street in Naujoji Vilnia. The victim, identified as Marijanas K., was found dead in his apartment. M. Smaguras, the grandson of a friend of the victim, and D. Maisiejus, were present at the residence.

The Search and the Attack

According to the prosecutor’s office, the two men searched Marijanas K.’s backpack and pockets for his bank card. Finding no card initially, they allegedly struck the 65-year-old “no less than 6 smūgių į galvos sritį” (no less than 6 blows to the head). This detail highlights the violence inflicted upon the victim during the robbery.

Attempted Theft and a Cruel Video

after D. Maisiejus left, M. Smaguras located the bank card. He attempted to withdraw funds from an ATM later that evening,but was unsuccessful after entering incorrect PIN codes. Adding a disturbing layer to the crime, “M. Smaguras atsiuntė savo draugei vaizdo įrašą, kuriame matyti, kaip greitosios pagalbos brigada bando atgaivinti auką – prieš dingdamas žudikas dar spėjo nufilmuoti šias akimirkas telefonu” (M. Smaguras sent his girlfriend a video showing the ambulance crew trying to revive the victim – before disappearing, the killer even managed to film these moments on his phone). This indicates a shocking lack of remorse and a callous disregard for human life.

Swift Apprehension

Police officers arrived at the scene and quickly identified both suspects. “M. Smaguras was sulaikytas su įkalčiais praėjus maždaug 7 valandos nuo žmogžudystės, po to, kai nesėkmingai bandė pasinaudoti aukso kortele” (M. Smaguras was detained with evidence approximately 7 hours after the murder, after unsuccessfully trying to use the gold card). The swift apprehension of Smaguras, found attempting to use the stolen card, was crucial for building a strong case.

Legal Proceedings and compensation

The police initiated criminal proceedings not only for murder but also for robbery, theft, and unlawful use of electronic payment instruments and data. Even though the suspects claimed their sentences were too harsh, the appellate court disagreed.

In addition to their prison sentences, the court ordered the defendants to jointly pay 30,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages to the victim’s family.

Moving Forward

The confirmation of these sentences brings a measure of closure to the family of Marijanas K., although the pain of their loss remains. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violent crime and the importance of a robust justice system. Support for victims and families is crucial in the aftermath of such tragedies. Consider donating to victim support organizations or volunteering your time to help those affected by crime.

How does the ruling in this case aim to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future?

Justice Served: An Interview wiht judge Simonskas on the Vilnius Murder Case

Archyde News: Welcome, Your Honor. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent ruling in the Vilnius murder case.

Judge Simonskas: Thank you for having me. It’s meaningful to discuss the implications of this ruling for both the justice system and our community.

Archyde news: To start, could you elaborate on why the Court of Appeal upheld the lengthy sentences for M. Smaguras and D. Maisiejus?

Judge Simonskas: The Court of Appeal found no reason to question the initial ruling. The violent nature of the crime, the lack of remorse shown by the perpetrators, and the impact on the victim’s family weighed heavily in our decision. We agreed that the sentences, eight years for Smaguras and thirteen for Maisiejus, were indeed deserved.

archyde News: The brutal attack and the unsettling actions post-crime, such as filming the victim’s rescue efforts, must have been considered in your ruling?

Judge Simonskas: Absolutely. The circumstances of this case were heinous. The callous disregard for human life and the anguish caused to the victim’s family were not lost on the court.These factors significantly influenced our decision on the appropriate sentencing.

Archyde News: The apprehension of the suspects was swift. How did this factor into the strength of the prosecution’s case?

Judge Simonskas: The rapid apprehension of the suspects was indeed crucial.The fact that Smaguras was detained with evidence just hours after the crime allowed us to build a strong case. This, coupled with the forensic evidence and witness testimonies, led to a clear and concise ruling.

Archyde News: Your Honor, given the complexity of this case, how can we, as a society, support victims and families affected by such tragedies moving forward?

Judge Simonskas: it’s vital we provide support to victims and their families. This can be through counseling services, victim support organizations, or even encouragement for individuals to volunteer their time and resources. By doing so, we can help our community heal and prevent such tragedies from happening again.