Defendant in mother assault and partner killing case Närvänen: "What I did is not the most beautiful act"

The court heard the case of Rauno Närvänen, who is accused of killing his partner and assaulting his mother. His defence counsel is requesting that the charges be reclassified, citing the man's limited criminal responsibility due to mental health issues. The court will deliver its verdict on 3 September.

In the courtroom today, Rauno Närvänen, who is accused of killing his partner during an alcohol-fuelled dispute and assaulting his mother, had the final word. The man partially admitted guilt and refused to give further statements in court.

"What I did is not the most beautiful act. I understand that. I hope a lighter sentence will be considered. I am sticking with my lawyer's position," Närvänen said briefly in his closing remarks.

Defence counsel: limited responsibility due to mental health

The defence counsel described the sequence of events during the hearing based on Närvänen's own account. "Rauno admitted that he had a row with his partner, who was heavily intoxicated. Rauno says he wanted to go outside to calm down, but the woman stopped him and pushed him. Rauno felt pain and became very angry. He does not remember what happened next. He only remembers seeing his partner lying on the ground and not responding," the defence counsel said.

The defence counsel also raised the question of Närvänen's psychological state at the hearing, suggesting that the man may have committed the crime under the influence of a mental disorder. "The person's criminal responsibility is limited due to mental health issues," the defence counsel stated, adding that this fact should be taken into account when determining the sentence and the crime should be reclassified. According to the defence counsel, an expert must clarify how the mental disorder affected the man's reactions.

Regarding the charge of assaulting his mother, the defence counsel argued that the man cannot be found guilty because the evidence is insufficient. "Beatings cannot be identified from the photograph," he noted.

Prosecutor seeks over 13 years imprisonment

The prosecutor rejected the defence counsel's arguments, emphasising that the evidence points to the victim trying to calm the defendant rather than being violent herself. "There is no basis whatsoever to claim that the victim was violent. If she tried to calm the defendant, why would she suddenly become violent?" the prosecutor asked.

The prosecutor believes there are no mitigating circumstances and is seeking a combined sentence of 13 years 1 month and 27 days in prison.

The court will deliver its verdict in Närvänen's case on 3 September at 10.00.