On the night of December 23, 2008, a 16‑year‑old from Człuchów was arrested in Jaworzno for the murder of a 55‑year‑old woman who was staying in a rented room.
Victim and Background
Stanisława D., 55, rented rooms in her house on a third floor in Jaworzno. The ground floor and basement were used for rental to construction workers, but remained vacant during the holidays.
Crime Sequence
Krystian S., 16, entered D’s apartment between 2 and 5 am after waking from a drunken binge. He demanded money he claimed he owed for the room, leading to a struggle during which D injured his hand with a knife. He was then strangled and struck repeatedly, resulting in fatal head injuries and asphyxiation by blood.
Krystian also absconded with about 1 500 złoty, a laptop, a mobile phone, and other smaller items from D’s possessions.
Arrest and Investigation
Krystian was apprehended by police on January 4, 2009 in Jaworzno and subsequently transferred first to a juvenile police station in Będzin, then to a protective facility for minors.
During interviews, he denied intent to kill, attributing his actions to intoxication and a “haze.” Blood evidence linked his blood to the victim’s clothing and the towel found on her legs.
Trial and Verdict
The court in Katowice found Krystian fully sane and responsible as an adult. In October 2011 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for murder with eventual intent.
Prosecutors sought 15 years, while the defense argued for a maximum of 7.5 years due to mitigating circumstances. The appellate court upheld the 10‑year sentence in February 2012.