Man Convicted of Murdering Nine-Year-Old Girl in Lincolnshire
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Deividas Skebas was found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 28 July 2022.
- Skebas, a Lithuanian national, claimed diminished responsibility due to mental illness, but the jury rejected this defense.
- The jury at Lincoln Crown Court delivered an 11 to one majority verdict after seven hours of deliberation.
- Lilia's family expressed profound grief, with her mother recalling the tragic moment she found her daughter.
- Skebas is scheduled to be sentenced on 25 February, following his conviction for the deliberate and planned attack.
In a case that has deeply affected the community of Boston, Lincolnshire, Deividas Skebas has been found guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte. The tragic incident occurred on 28 July 2022, when Skebas stabbed Lilia in the heart as she played with a hula hoop outside her mother's shop.
The Crime and Trial
Skebas, a 26-year-old Lithuanian national, had arrived in the UK just weeks before the attack. On the day of the incident, he approached Lilia and her friend outside the shop, fatally stabbing her in the chest. Despite immediate medical attention, Lilia succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
During the trial at Lincoln Crown Court, Skebas admitted to killing Lilia but denied murder, citing diminished responsibility due to schizophrenia and psychosis. However, the prosecution argued that the act was deliberate and planned, a stance supported by the jury's 11 to one majority verdict after more than seven hours of deliberation.
Community Impact and Family Grief
The murder of Lilia Valutyte has left a lasting impact on the close-knit community of Boston. Residents were shocked by the senseless act, and the sight of Lilia's small, butterfly-adorned coffin during her funeral remains etched in their memories. Her mother, Lina Savicke, shared a poignant victim impact statement, expressing the family's enduring grief and the unanswered questions that haunt them.
Lilia's stepfather, Aurelijus Savickas, described her as having a "beautiful soul" and emphasized the irreplaceable loss felt by the family. The trial proceedings, which included Skebas's bizarre claims of being controlled by a microchip, added to the emotional toll on Lilia's loved ones.
Legal Proceedings and Mental Health Considerations
Skebas's defense centered around his mental health issues, with his legal team arguing for a manslaughter conviction on the grounds of diminished responsibility. However, the prosecution maintained that Skebas was aware of his actions and their consequences, leading to the murder conviction.
Skebas has been held at Rampton Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility, since December 2022. He attended the trial virtually and is set to be sentenced on 25 February.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The conviction of Deividas Skebas raises important questions about the intersection of mental health and criminal responsibility. As the legal system continues to grapple with such cases, the outcome may influence future defenses involving mental illness. Skebas's sentencing will likely consider both the severity of the crime and his mental health status.
The case also underscores the profound impact of violent crime on small communities, highlighting the need for ongoing support for victims' families. As Boston, Lincolnshire, seeks to heal, the community's response may serve as a model for resilience in the face of tragedy.
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Man Convicted of Murdering Nine-Year-Old Girl in Lincolnshire
In This Article
Sofia Romano| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Deividas Skebas was found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 28 July 2022.
- Skebas, a Lithuanian national, claimed diminished responsibility due to mental illness, but the jury rejected this defense.
- The jury at Lincoln Crown Court delivered an 11 to one majority verdict after seven hours of deliberation.
- Lilia's family expressed profound grief, with her mother recalling the tragic moment she found her daughter.
- Skebas is scheduled to be sentenced on 25 February, following his conviction for the deliberate and planned attack.
In a case that has deeply affected the community of Boston, Lincolnshire, Deividas Skebas has been found guilty of the murder of nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte. The tragic incident occurred on 28 July 2022, when Skebas stabbed Lilia in the heart as she played with a hula hoop outside her mother's shop.
The Crime and Trial
Skebas, a 26-year-old Lithuanian national, had arrived in the UK just weeks before the attack. On the day of the incident, he approached Lilia and her friend outside the shop, fatally stabbing her in the chest. Despite immediate medical attention, Lilia succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
During the trial at Lincoln Crown Court, Skebas admitted to killing Lilia but denied murder, citing diminished responsibility due to schizophrenia and psychosis. However, the prosecution argued that the act was deliberate and planned, a stance supported by the jury's 11 to one majority verdict after more than seven hours of deliberation.
Community Impact and Family Grief
The murder of Lilia Valutyte has left a lasting impact on the close-knit community of Boston. Residents were shocked by the senseless act, and the sight of Lilia's small, butterfly-adorned coffin during her funeral remains etched in their memories. Her mother, Lina Savicke, shared a poignant victim impact statement, expressing the family's enduring grief and the unanswered questions that haunt them.
Lilia's stepfather, Aurelijus Savickas, described her as having a "beautiful soul" and emphasized the irreplaceable loss felt by the family. The trial proceedings, which included Skebas's bizarre claims of being controlled by a microchip, added to the emotional toll on Lilia's loved ones.
Legal Proceedings and Mental Health Considerations
Skebas's defense centered around his mental health issues, with his legal team arguing for a manslaughter conviction on the grounds of diminished responsibility. However, the prosecution maintained that Skebas was aware of his actions and their consequences, leading to the murder conviction.
Skebas has been held at Rampton Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility, since December 2022. He attended the trial virtually and is set to be sentenced on 25 February.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The conviction of Deividas Skebas raises important questions about the intersection of mental health and criminal responsibility. As the legal system continues to grapple with such cases, the outcome may influence future defenses involving mental illness. Skebas's sentencing will likely consider both the severity of the crime and his mental health status.
The case also underscores the profound impact of violent crime on small communities, highlighting the need for ongoing support for victims' families. As Boston, Lincolnshire, seeks to heal, the community's response may serve as a model for resilience in the face of tragedy.
Images from the Web
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