08.05.2025 14:26
A mother who was sentenced to 18 years and 4 months in prison for the charge of strangling her daughter, with "provocation" and "good behavior" reductions applied, had her sentence overturned by the Court of Cassation on the grounds that the punishment was excessive. The mother will face the judge again.
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On May 17, 2021, Ayşe Vural (61) arrived at the Buca Police Department in İzmir, stating that she had killed her daughter. Teams that went to the house in Laleli Neighborhood encountered the body of Zeynep Vural (29). It was determined that Zeynep had been strangled to death. Ayşe Vural, who was taken into custody, was arrested, while her husband S.V. (72) and son Ö.V. (27) were released under judicial control.
REQUEST FOR AGGRAVATED LIFE SENTENCE FOR 3 DEFENDANTS
The public prosecutor's office completed the investigation regarding the incident and prepared an indictment. In the indictment, the prosecutor stated that it was not possible for Ayşe Vural to have committed the act alone. The prosecutor also emphasized that there were contradictions in the statements of the defendants. An aggravated life sentence was requested for the three defendants for the crime of 'intentional killing of a direct ancestor or descendant.'
RECEIVED 18 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR 'PROVOCATION' AND 'GOOD BEHAVIOR'
In the decision hearing of the case held in İzmir's 23rd Heavy Criminal Court in 2022; Ayşe Vural requested her acquittal, saying, "I did not intend to kill my daughter." Her husband and son made the same request. The court panel sentenced Ayşe Vural to aggravated life imprisonment for the crime of 'intentional killing of a descendant.' The panel noted that Zeynep exhibited aggressive behavior towards family members and assaulted them due to her psychological disorder and addiction, and applied 'provocation' and 'good behavior' reductions. Thus, Ayşe Vural's sentence was reduced to 18 years and 4 months in prison. The defendants who were tried without detention were also acquitted.
APPEAL APPROVED
The decision was appealed by the lawyers of the parties and taken to the court of appeals. The 4th Criminal Chamber of the İzmir Regional Court of Justice, in its decision in June 2023, found the sentence given to Ayşe Vural to be correct. The Chamber emphasized that the evidence presented for the other defendants was not sufficient in degree and quality for conviction, ruling that the appeal request was not justified. The Chamber also rejected Ayşe Vural's request for release.
PUNISHMENT GIVEN TO THE MOTHER WAS FOUND EXCESSIVE AND REVERSED
Ayşe Vural's lawyer, Mehmet Ali Orman, took the decision to the Supreme Court 1.5 months ago. The 1st Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, which reviewed the case, stated that Zeynep had long-standing psychological issues and had used drugs. It was noted that there had been serious problems between the defendant Ayşe Vural and her daughter Zeynep Vural for many years. The decision also mentioned that Zeynep had previous suicide attempts and had not responded to drug treatment. The Chamber referred to the fact that Zeynep insulted the defendant and physically attacked her on the day of the incident, emphasizing that a protection order had previously been issued for the defendant. Due to these incidents, the Chamber concluded that the defendant Ayşe Vural committed the act under provocation. The Chamber decided that the first-instance court had imposed an excessive sentence on the defendant, considering the nature and extent of the acts that constituted unjust provocation, and overturned the decision regarding Ayşe Vural. The decision regarding S.V. and Ö.V. was upheld. Following the decision, Ayşe Vural will appear before the İzmir 23rd Heavy Criminal Court again.
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