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The Panevėžys Regional Court has issued a ruling upholding the first-instance court's verdict for two Panevėžys residents, D. B. and V. S., convicted of violent crimes. The court dismissed the appeals of both the convicts and the victims, noting that the guilt of the convicted individuals has been proven, and the sentences imposed and compensation awarded are fair and justified.

The court confirmed that 35-year-old D. B. was rightfully found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to one person and minor bodily harm to another. The 36-year-old convict, V. S., was found guilty of causing non-severe bodily harm to a third person.

D. B.'s consolidated sentence remains a 3-year prison term, with the execution of the sentence suspended for 2 years.

V. S.'s sentence remains a 1-year and 3-month restriction of liberty, with obligations to participate in a behavioral correction program and to maintain employment.

D. B. was convicted for an incident on June 24, 2024, at approximately 3:00 AM in the yard of a residential house in Panevėžys. During a mutual conflict, he used his fists, feet, and a cross-shaped lug wrench to deliver at least ten blows to victim T. S. in various parts of the body and at least four blows to victim A. P. Simultaneously, V. S. used his fists, feet, and an unidentified tool to deliver at least five blows to victim K. R.

The judicial panel rejected the convicts' arguments that they acted in self-defense against the aggression of the victims. In the court's view, D. B. was the initiator of the conflict, being the first to throw bricks and paving stones toward the neighbors. The court found the convicts' testimony to be inconsistent and contradictory, while old injuries cited by D. B. refuted his version of self-defense. The court concluded there was no dangerous assault from which the convicts would have had grounds to defend themselves.

However, the court also rejected the victims' requests to increase the severity of the sentences, as the court believes the imposed penalties are proportionate and meet the objectives of the law.

The Regional Court noted that the civil claims of the victims were resolved correctly. Victim T. S., who suffered grievous bodily harm, was awarded €11,760 in material damages for lost income from D. B. The court noted that due to the severe health impairment, T. S. was unable to work, making the claim for lost income justified. Additionally, he was awarded €7,000 in non-material damages, taking into account his injuries (fractured rib and skull) and judicial practice in similar cases.

Victim K. R., who suffered non-severe bodily harm, was awarded €1,000 in non-material damages from V. S. The court rejected K. R.'s appeal to increase this amount, stating it corresponds to the extent of the injury and established judicial practice. He was also awarded €374 in material damages for damaged glasses and a shirt.

Victim A. P., who suffered minor bodily harm, was awarded €600 in non-material damages from D. B. The court recognized this amount as adequate and also noted the victim's own active behavior during the conflict, which reduced the amount of damages to be awarded.

Furthermore, the convicts were ordered to pay nearly €8,300 in joint liability to the Panevėžys Territorial Health Insurance Fund for the medical services provided to the victims.

The court transferred the question of D. B.'s responsibility for property damage (a gazebo damaged by thrown bricks) to the Panevėžys County Main Police Commissariat to be handled as an administrative matter, as the value of the damaged property does not exceed the threshold required for criminal liability.

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