Zajecar: 30 days' detention for knife murder suspect

A pretrial judge at the Zajecar Higher Court ordered up to 30 days’ detention for D. M. (38), suspected of aggravated murder. The case is being handled by the Zajecar Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office following a statement issued on May 28.

According to the investigation, the suspect allegedly fatally stabbed a 47-year-old fellow Zajecar resident in the evening hours two days earlier. Immediately after the arrest, prosecutors moved for detention, citing possible influence on witnesses and the risk of repeated offending.

What prosecutors allege

According to informal accounts from sources close to the investigation, the offense was committed at a house in Zajecar. The suspect and the victim, according to the accounts, had been in contact previously and knew each other.

The suspect was arrested immediately after police arrived and taken to the premises of the Zajecar Police Administration. During questioning at the prosecutor’s office, the suspect exercised his right to silence.

The Zajecar Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office said the following are underway:

• autopsy of the victim at the Nis Forensic Medicine Institute
• DNA forensic examination of traces from the scene
• psychiatric forensic evaluation of the suspect
• analysis of contents of the phone and digital devices

Legal classification

The offense of aggravated murder under Article 114 of the Criminal Code, in its various forms, is punishable by at least 10 years’ imprisonment or life imprisonment. The final classification, according to informal accounts, will depend on the autopsy findings and the circumstances under which the offense was committed.

The offense under Article 114 of the Criminal Code, when committed in a cruel or treacherous manner or for other base motives, is punishable by imprisonment of at least 10 years or life imprisonment under the applicable statutory classification.

According to informal accounts, a knife suspected of being the weapon used in the killing was found at the house and immediately sent for biological and dactyloscopic forensic examination.

What follows the detention period

Under standard procedure, after the initial 30-day period expires, the pretrial judge may extend detention for up to a further 60 days. The final decision depends on the pace of forensic work and the filing of an indictment.

The Zajecar Police Administration said operational work will continue, including questioning witnesses who last saw the victim alive. The lodging of evidence in the criminal records system has already begun.

The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.

Will the autopsy confirm suspicion of a cruel manner of execution?