Marko Smažil claims accidental shooting in student murder retrial

Former Croatian police officer Marko Smažil has presented his defense during a retrial in Osijek for the September 2023 killing of 21-year-old student Mihaela Berak. Smažil admitted to being responsible for her death but maintained that he had no intention to kill her, claiming the shooting was accidental.

According to Smažil, the victim had asked to see his service weapon, and they were handling it together to make sounds with the mechanism when the gun discharged. He admitted to initially lying to the police by claiming Berak had shot herself in an attempt to protect himself, but stated he eventually told the truth once he regained composure.

The prosecution has rejected this defense as unreliable, arguing that Smažil acted with direct intent to kill. They cited evidence of prior jealousy and threats. The Osijek County Court is expected to deliver its verdict on October 15.