In June 2018, the accused killed his partner at their home in Schifflange after an argument escalated to violence.
Although the defendant denied the intention to kill his partner, an autopsy showed the victim had been strangled. The prosecutor said this alone proved a certain intent, a statement which was supported by the judges during the first instance.
The investigation had also uncovered other cases of violence prior to the murder, which informed the prosecutor's decision that the original sentence should be revised to incorporate life imprisonment.
The defendant's lawyer explained the client had appealed the original sentence as he claimed he had only sought to calm his partner during their row and had never meant to strangle her. For this reason, he claimed the charges of "intentional assault and battery, leading to death".
The lawyer added that the defendant lacked a criminal record prior to the murder, and his sentence should therefore be reduced with legal constraints.
During the appeal hearing, the defendant claimed he attempted to calm his partner down following an argument several hours prior, which had left her "nervous". He then said he became dizzy and was unable to recall what happened until he woke up holding her body. He then went to seek help at a nearby building site, where he informed the workers present that he had killed his wife.
The verdict is expected on 1 December.
