On Monday, a Serbian court announced the verdict in a heartbreaking case involving the parents of a 13-year-old boy who tragically carried out a school shooting in Belgrade in 2023.
This horrific incident claimed the lives of ten individuals and left several others injured.
Verdicts for the Parents
The boy’s father, Vladimir Kecmanovic, faced severe charges concerning public safety, alongside accusations of child abuse and neglect.
After the trial, he was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison for his actions.
His wife, Miljana Kecmanovic, was also accused of similar offenses, including neglect and abuse of a minor.
In addition, she faced charges related to the unlawful production, possession, and distribution of weapons.
Ultimately, Miljana received a sentence of three years behind bars but was acquitted of all weapon-related charges.
Involvement of the Instructor
Nemanja Marinkovic, the instructor who taught the boy to shoot, was found guilty of a lesser offense, including providing false testimonies during the trial.
He was sentenced to serve one year and three months in prison.
Details of the Incident
During the proceedings, the presiding judge briefly explained the reasoning behind the sentences, stating that the parents have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal in Belgrade.
The tragedy unfolded in May 2023 when the young assailant entered his school armed with two handguns belonging to his father.
The devastating attack resulted not only in the deaths of ten students and a security guard but also left five others injured, including a history teacher.
Under Serbian law, minors under the age of 14 are not subject to criminal prosecution, which means that, since the perpetrator had not yet turned 14 at the time of the shooting, he will not face criminal charges.
Instead, he has been placed in a mental health facility following the incident.
The trial of his parents began in January of this year and was held behind closed doors, but the verdicts have now been made public for all to see.
Source: Jurist