A teen who murdered a gay man, wrapped a snake around his neck, and put a dress on the corpse has been sentenced.
On Wednesday, the 16-year-old was sentenced by Gothenburg district court to four years in a detention center for juvenile offenders, and asked to pay damages to relatives of the victim.
Related: Teens murder gay man, wrap snake around his neck, and dress him in women’s clothes
Once he’s served his time, the young man will be deported.
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The grisly crime took place last June, and the trial began at the end of 2015.
According to court documents, the young man broke down in tears during police interrogations, and told the court he had acted in self-defense.
He claims the man approached him on the street dressed as a red-haired woman, and offered him clothes, food, and a place to shower.
Once they arrived at the apartment, he says the man attempted to rape him.
Police found video on the boy’s mobile phone that tells a different story: He’s shouting and swearing at the victim and insulting his sexuality.
The victim was found by his partner with a shirt tied around his neck, and a dead snake hanging around his neck.
The young man initially told investigators there’s no way he could’ve possibly carried out the attack — because he’s afraid of snakes.
His DNA was found at the scene of the crime, and under the victim’s fingernails.
A nineteen-year-old who was also present in the apartment has been charged with protection of a criminal.
h/t: The Local
