Current:Home > StocksTrial opens in Serbia for parents of a teenager who fatally shot 10 people at a school last year -Thrive Success Strategies
Trial opens in Serbia for parents of a teenager who fatally shot 10 people at a school last year
View
Date:2025-04-14 11:15:16
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — A trial started Monday in Serbia for the parents of a teenager who is accused of killing 10 people and injuring six in a mass shooting at his school last May that left the Balkan nation in shock.
The suspected shooter, 13-year-old Kosta Kecmanovic, has been held in a mental institution since the attack and cannot be held criminally liable under Serbian law because of his age. His father and mother were charged with a “serious act against general safety” for failing to safeguard the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting.
The High Court in the capital, Belgrade, decided to keep the entire proceedings closed to the public despite calls by the defense lawyers that they be open. The couple, reportedly embraced in the courtroom and wept together, according to local media reports.
The shooting at a school in Belgrade last May 4, which left nine schoolmates and a security guard dead, was followed by another mass slaying a day later in central Serbia that killed eight people and wounded 14. The two attacks triggered months of protests against Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic for allegedly creating a culture of violence in a country that went through a series of bloody wars in the 1990s.
Kecmanovic’s father faces additional charges, including an accusation of training the boy how to shoot without properly guarding the weapons at their home. The manager of a shooting range and an instructor also have been charged.
Serbia has one of the highest gun ownership rates in the world. The country is full of weapons left over from the conflicts of the 1990s.
Chief prosecutor Nenad Stefanovic told state RTS broadcaster that he expects “a free and fair trial.”
The defense lawyers said Monday they are against keeping the trial closed to the public.
“Today the court made a decision to exclude the public in the entire course of this procedure, stating that this is done to protect the interests of minors and some private interests of the participants in the procedure,” lawyer Irina Borovic said. “Our position is that the decision of the court was absolutely hasty.”
veryGood! (152)
Related
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- How to make a budget that actually works: Video tutorial
- College football Week 2 grades: Michigan the butt of jokes
- Will Ja'Marr Chase play in Week 1? What to know about Bengals WR's status
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Manhunt underway for suspect in active shooter situation that shut down I-75 in Kentucky
- You can get a free Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut on Saturday. Here's how.
- Wisconsin health officials recall eggs after a multistate salmonella outbreak
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Watch as time-lapse video captures solar arrays reflecting auroras, city lights from space
Ranking
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Impaired driver arrested after pickup crashes into Arizona restaurant, injuring 25
- Demi Moore on 'The Substance' and that 'disgusting' Dennis Quaid shrimp scene
- All The Emmy-Nominated Book to Television Adaptations You'll Want to Read
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- 10 unwritten rules of youth sports: Parents can prevent fights with this 24-hour rule
- Commanders QB Jayden Daniels scores first career NFL touchdown on run
- Jennifer Lopez slays on Toronto red carpet, brings 'sass' to 'Unstoppable' role
Recommendation
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
In their tennis era, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce cheer at U.S. Open final
Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka try to win the US Open for the first time
Who is the highest-paid NFL player? Ranking the highest NFL contracts for 2024 season
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
Impaired driver arrested after pickup crashes into Arizona restaurant, injuring 25
Takeaways from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s response to violence after George Floyd’s murder
Eagles extinguish Packers in Brazil: Highlights, final stats and more