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The Panevėžys Regional Court has delivered its verdict in the criminal case concerning the murder of Polish citizen K. S. The court found the defendant, Ernestas Mečkauskas, guilty and sentenced him to 7 years of imprisonment. Additionally, the convict was ordered to pay a total of 80,000 euros in non-material damages to the victims.

The tragic incident occurred on July 23, 2024, in Panevėžys, near a snack bar on Marijonų Street. On that day, Panevėžys hosted a football match between the Białystok team Jagiellonia and the local team Panevėžys. A conflict arose between the Polish supporter and the defendant, during which E. Mečkauskas struck the intoxicated K. S. in the face with his fist. The victim fell and hit his head against concrete paving stones. Following the incident, the victim was taken to the hospital but later left the facility. That same evening, officers found him in a weakened state at a bus stop and returned him to medical professionals; however, after fighting for his life for several weeks, the man died in the hospital.

In establishing E. Mečkauskas's guilt for murder, the court concluded that the individual could not have failed to perceive the consequences of his actions.

"Judicial practice holds that the head is a vital and the most vulnerable part of the human body, and a person of normal mental development cannot fail to realize that by striking another person in the head, they are performing an act that poses a danger to that person's health and life," noted Judge Jolanta Raščiuvienė, who presided over the case.

Although the court determined that E. Mečkauskas did not directly intend to cause the victim's death, his behavior following the blow – leaving the scene, failing to call for help, and showing indifference toward the person lying on the ground – confirmed indirect intent.

"The defendant consciously allowed the tragic consequences to occur," the judge stated.

In imposing the minimum statutory sentence of 7 years, the court considered that E. Mečkauskas had no prior criminal record and was employed. No mitigating or aggravating circumstances were identified. Until the verdict takes effect, the restrictive measures – a written pledge not to depart and the seizure of identity documents – remain in place.

The court also examined three civil claims filed by the deceased's relatives. Although the requested amounts were higher, the court adjusted them based on the criteria of justice and reasonableness, as well as the convict's financial situation. The victim's mother was awarded 35,000 euros, his sister 15,000 euros, and his minor son 30,000 euros. The convict will also be required to pay 5% annual interest on all awarded sums until full compensation is reached.

The verdict of the Panevėžys Regional Court may be appealed to the Lithuanian Court of Appeal within 20 days.

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