"Stepped on his neck and held him until death": in Mykolaiv a police officer was convicted of a brutal murder

The Central District Court of Mykolaiv handed down a verdict to a former patrol police inspector of the Kherson District Police Department, who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend’s ex-husband. The tragedy occurred in November 2024 in an apartment on Heroes of Ukraine Avenue.

The court, presided over by Judge Serhii Medyuk, found that the 35-year-old defendant, who at the time held the rank of “senior lieutenant of police”, went to his girlfriend’s ex-husband’s apartment allegedly to help open the door. Later the men began drinking alcohol that the policeman himself had brought.

During the gathering a conflict arose between them. According to the court, the law enforcement officer dealt the victim about eight blows to the head with his hands and foot. After the man fell to the floor, the defendant stepped on his neck and held him in that position. As a result of mechanical asphyxia, the victim died at the scene.

In court the ex-policeman did not admit guilt. He claimed that he was only defending himself, as allegedly the deceased was the one who started the fight. According to the defendant, he struck the man only once in response, and when he was leaving the apartment — accidentally stepped on his back.

After that the man called his partner. When the woman arrived, they together entered the apartment, where the victim lay without signs of life. Medics pronounced death and called the police.

However, the defendant’s version was refuted by the findings of forensic medical examinations and other evidence examined. The court found the guilt proven and sentenced the former policeman to 8 years of imprisonment.

In addition, the court separately decided to strip him of the special rank “senior lieutenant of police”.