Urals Murder Confession: Will He Be Released?
Viktor Petrichenko is on trial for the murder of seven people committed in Kamensk-Uralsky on New Year«s Eve 1993. This crime became one of the most high-profile in the region. During the trial, the accused attempted to shift the blame onto his father.
The defense claims that the mass murder was committed by Vasily Petrichenko, Viktor«s father, because their DNA matches. The lawyer stated in court that the victims were beaten with a hammer by the elder Petrichenko. This version is also supported by the accused»s wife, who initially refused to believe in her husband«s guilt.
«When Vitya was detained, I immediately thought it was the father, honestly. Because, as Vitya told me, he had served time for either murder or a stabbing,» said Petrichenko«s wife.
The investigation refuted Vasily Petrichenko«s involvement in the murder. According to investigators, the father was the only one to whom the son confessed to the deed, and advised him to remain silent. Currently, the elder Petrichenko is listed as missing in Kyrgyzstan. No evidence of his presence in the Urals in 1993 has been found, while Viktor»s fingerprints were discovered at the crime scene.
According to case materials, 33 years ago, Viktor Petrichenko met a group of people from Perm at the station and went with them to visit Kamensk-Uralsky, to the Ivanov family. During the celebration, he spiked the alcohol with clonidine, and after the adults lost consciousness, he killed them with blows from a hammer he brought with himself. Then he lured two children to the kitchen and killed them: first the boy, then his sister. After taking money and valuables, the criminal fled.
On January 28, Viktor Petrichenko was supposed to deliver his final statement in court, but the hearing was postponed to February 16. Now his speech is expected in mid-February. The accused faces up to 20 years in prison.
