Trajko Bojkovski admits to three killings and says the motive was money

Accused serial killer from Kumanovo, Trajko Bojkovski, on Monday confessed to killing three women and said his motive was money. Previously he had denied the charges at earlier hearings; today he admitted to three of the four murders he faces.

During his testimony Bojkovski appeared confused and repeatedly said he had killed "three elderly women," but when the victims' names were mentioned he could not specify which ones he meant. He also acknowledged two attempted murders.

Prosecution and psychiatric evidence

The prosecution is charging Bojkovski with the murder of four women. Psychiatric experts had concluded in their reports that the killings were committed to satisfy sexual impulses involving dead women — findings that the accused rejected, insisting instead that he killed for money.

At the hearing the court heard the expert opinion of Dr. Stojan Bajrakatrov of the Clinic for Psychiatry, who testified that the accused acted in a calculating manner while carrying out the crimes.

Public prosecutor Ljubomir Lape said the defendant has the right to choose how he will defend himself but emphasized that Bojkovski had already admitted the murders to the public prosecutor.

"He himself did not know which criminal act he was denying, so to all the cross questions he answered affirmatively. He admitted the criminal acts to the public prosecutor and there is other evidence that supports the indictment. The manner of defence is his right. He considers that this will most likely ease his situation and psychiatrists think that the accused acts in order to alleviate his condition," said public prosecutor Ljubomir Lape.

Closing statements are scheduled for October 6, after which the court will deliver a verdict.

Photo: press material from the event