Trial resumes for suspected serial killer from Staro Nagorichane; two survivors to testify

The trial against the suspect accused of a series of killings in Staro Nagorichane continued today at the Basic Court in Kumanovo. He faces charges in connection with four murders and two attempted murders.

The court record shows that an attorney was appointed to represent the defendant ex officio at today’s hearing after his previous lawyer withdrew the power of attorney following a disagreement: according to the file, the lawyer ended his mandate because, contrary to his advice, the defendant did not plead guilty. The new defence lawyer is Toni Cvetkovski.

During today’s session the court will hear testimony from the two women who survived attacks allegedly carried out by the same suspect: Rosanka Trajkovska and Slobotka Arsovska.

Prosecutor: motives were necrophilic; defendant denies guilt

The prosecution describes the suspect — a 25-year-old resident of Staro Nagorichane — as calculating in the commission of the crimes and says he acted out of hatred toward women. It states that the first killing took place in January of last year and that the suspect was arrested after one year, in February of this year. Three of the victims were older women and one was younger.

The indictment further alleges that "the acts were committed from other base motives, namely with the intent to satisfy his sexual urges toward dead female bodies." The defendant continues to deny guilt, court records show.

Photo: press material from the event