A 24-year-old is facing potential jail time and hefty fines for a devastating act of arson, igniting his mother’s car and another vehicle.
During trial, the defendant’s lawyer launched a desperate plea, arguing that his client was not in a stable mental state at the time of the incident.
However, judges dashed their hopes by dismissing this claim, citing a damning mental health report.
All eyes are now on the looming verdict date, set for the 14th of the month.
Court files paint a harrowing picture of the events leading up to the fiery spectacle, detailing how the defendant was spotted dousing his mother’s car with gasoline outside a nearby restaurant.
Despite valiant efforts by first responders to quell the flames, the inferno rages uncontrollably, leaving behind charred wreckage.
Amidst the chaos, witnesses recount how the defendant fled the scene on a motorbike, leaving his mother to confront the horrifying aftermath.
The mother told the court that she learned about the alleged involvement of her son’s destructive act from his brother himself.
She also revealed having received confirmation about her son’s action from people from the restaurant who said they saw the boy pouring some liquid on the cars before setting it ablaze.
Despite psychiatric evaluations presenting a stark rebuttal, the defence persists in its efforts to sway the scales of justice, arguing fervently for leniency on the grounds of mitigating factors and pre-existing conditions.
Both prosecution and defence now brace for a final showdown, where closing arguments and evidence will ultimately shape the fate of the accused.