It was established that, due to mental illness, the perpetrator was legally insane at the time of the act. Therefore, when applying to the court to discontinue the proceedings, the prosecutor simultaneously requested that the suspect be placed in a secure psychiatric facility and undergo treatment.

The perpetrator – currently 48-year-old Leszek B. – had suffered from mental illness for many years. The man was receiving treatment: he consulted a doctor regularly and systematically took medication. Until then, the medication had effectively limited his antisocial behavior and allowed him to function without violating legal norms.

At the end of November, however, Leszek B.’s health deteriorated. On December 1, 2014, at approximately 1:00 p.m., B., driven by delusions and auditory hallucinations, came to the hospital in Legnica equipped with three knives and two incapacitating sprays, with a clearly defined aim – to take the life of one of the nurses (no specific person was targeted).

He went to one of the admissions rooms. When a 56-year-old head nurse leaving the office asked him whether he was waiting for a doctor, the man did not answer and, taking her by surprise, attacked the victim with pepper spray and then stabbed her 14 times in the head, chest, abdominal cavity, back and limbs.

The victim was immediately operated on. Due to the serious nature of her injuries, the procedure was life-saving.

Before that, however, following the victim’s screams, nurses arrived at the scene of the struggle. They immediately informed security staff and doctors present in the admissions area about the incident. They were the first to restrain the attacker.

Leszek B. was eventually handed over to the police and then taken to a psychiatric hospital. Once procedural activities involving him could be carried out, the prosecutor charged him with attempting to murder a nurse who, in connection with providing healthcare services, was protected under the provisions applicable to public officials.

During questioning, Leszek B. admitted committing the crime. He said that he had come to the hospital to kill, but was unable to give reasons for his behavior. The prosecutor applied to the court for B.’s pretrial detention. Due to his mental health, the suspect was held in a secure ward of a psychiatric hospital as part of his detention.

During the investigation, an expert opinion was obtained from psychiatrists. They unanimously concluded that, as a result of psychotic disorders, mainly imperative hallucinations and persecutory delusions, Leszek B. was unable to control his aggressive behavior. The motivation for his act was psychotic in nature, and therefore Leszek B. was completely incapable of assessing the significance of his act or directing his conduct.

It was also determined that there is currently a high probability that the suspect may commit this type of offense again, and that he should therefore remain in a secure ward under full isolation.

The prosecutor filed a motion to discontinue the case and place B. in a secure psychiatric facility. The case will be handled by the Regional Court in Legnica.

Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Legnica/ii