The Supreme Court of Iceland sentenced Agné Krataviciuté to three years in prison for manslaughter yesterday. She was found guilty of having killed her newborn child on July 2, 2011. The original sentence by Reykjavík District Court was extended by one year.
The woman is said to have tried to conceal all traces of the birth and left the infant’s body in a dumpster by a hotel in central Reykjavík where she worked, ruv.is reports.
The story came to light when Krataviciuté sought medical assistance for internal bleeding at the ER of Landspítali National University Hospital the same day.
In spite of her denial, physicians were certain that she had just given birth. They notified police and the infant’s body was found in the hotel’s garbage storage later in the day.
Krataviciuté was charged with manslaughter and the prosecutor demanded a sentence of 16 years, or at least that the defendant be found guilty of the 212th article of the penal code, of having killed the child due to distress, fear of reproach or mental illness.
The District Court did not consider it proven that Krataviciuté had committed manslaughter but convicted her of the latter charge.
According to the verdict, the defendant, who was deemed compos mentis by a psychiatrist, killed the infant in a disturbed frame of mind caused by the birth. There were no signs of amorality or psychotic disorder.
The prosecutor considered the verdict too soft and appealed it to the Supreme Court, maintaining the demand for a 16-year sentence.
The Supreme Court also convicted Krataviciuté for violating the 212th article of the penal code and extended the sentence to three years.
According to Fréttablaðið, Krataviciuté has maintained her innocence throughout the trial and not admitted to having given birth.
Reykjavík District Court determined that Krataviciuté was to pay the father of her child ISK 600,000 (USD 4,800, EUR 3,700) in damages. The Supreme Court dismissed claims for damages due to inadequate presentation.
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ESA
