Psychiatric experts determine Mieszko R. was not criminally responsible for Warsaw University murder, avoiding trial but possibly facing lifetime psychiatric confinement.
Experts: Consideration of Mieszko R.’s Placement in Gostynin
On Monday, Gazeta.pl was the first to report that following a psychiatric examination of 22-year-old Mieszko R., experts determined that the man suspected of murder at Warsaw University was not criminally responsible at the time of the incident. This means Mieszko R. will not stand trial as an accused person. The prosecution intends to request the placement of the 22-year-old in a closed psychiatric facility. Theoretically, there is a possibility that the man could remain in the facility for life.
“Remaining a suspect at liberty with a high probability of him again committing an act prohibited with significant social harm, associated with his mental illness” – indicated in the communication of the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office.
Mieszko R. Cannot Go to Gostynin
The issue is that according to currently applicable regulations, Mieszko R. could not go to Gostynin if he were indeed released earlier from a closed psychiatric facility. The law states that only persons convicted before February 2015 can be sent to Gostynin (when the amendment to the Penal Code came into force). Moreover, only convicted criminals who have served a prison sentence can be directed to the National Center for Preventing Dissocial Behavior in Gostynin. Mieszko R., to his knowledge – most likely – will not be sent there. One of the prosecutors of the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office unofficially admitted to Gazeta.pl that the experts, suggesting possible placement of Mieszko R. in KOZZD in the future, made an error and may not have familiarized themselves with the current regulations.
Expert Opinion Content Is Under Analysis
The representatives of the victim’s family conveyed to Gazeta.pl on Monday that “the family is familiar with the conclusions from the experts’ opinion, indicating the perpetrator’s lack of criminal responsibility at the time of the act and its justification.” “For the family of the deceased, the priority is that the final determinations in this regard are completely certain, categorical and indisputable. This is necessary for the sense of justice and social security” – they state. “In connection with the above, the content of the opinion is being analyzed with the participation of independent specialists in the field of psychiatry and psychology. If any ambiguities arise on this basis, as representatives, we will take legal steps aimed at clarifying all doubts, so that the conclusions regarding the perpetrator’s responsibility are based on unquestionable foundations” – we read. The representatives emphasize that the victim’s family asks for respect for their privacy.
Murder at Warsaw University. Suspect Mieszko R.
The tragic events occurred on the afternoon of May 7 of last year on the Warsaw University campus. 22-year-old Mieszko R. is suspected of murdering a 53-year-old university employee as well as desecrating her corpse. The man was also charged with attempted murder of a 39-year-old employee of the UW University Security Service, who tried to stop him. He is also suspected of assaulting a police officer.