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Arik Karp

Karp widow: Why didn't anyone help?

Sara, widow of Arik Karp, takes stand at punitive arguments hearing for four teens who were convicted of manslaughter. Prosecution seeks prison sentence, community service

Two years after her husband Arik Karp was beaten to death on the Tel Aviv boardwalk his widow Sara points the finger of blame at soldier Or Levi and three teens from Jaljulia who were convicted for failing to prevent his death.

 

"They sat there and laughed. That's murder. If they would have prevented the murder we wouldn't be sitting here today," she said at the Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court, where the punitive arguments hearing opened Tuesday.

 

 

Prosecutor Menahem Mizrahi asked to call the widow to the witness stand claiming he had no evidence to present before the court. The defense team objected but the judge rejected their claims and allowed Sara Karp to take the stand. Her testimony was emotional and accompanied by shouting.


Sara Karp at hearing (Photo: Ofer Amram) 

 

"Why didn't anybody do anything? Why didn't anyone try to help me," she said. "No one used their phone to call for help. I wandered like an animal in a jungle, begging for help and no one offered help."

 

The four were convicted of depraved indifference for taking no reasonable action to prevent the actions of their friends. Yet they were acquitted of breaking the "Good Samaritan Law".

 

During the hearing, Mr. Mizrahi emphasized that the maximal punishment for failure to prevent a crime is a two year prison sentence. "We need to remember that the crime involved sever violence. The accused didn't lift a finger and did nothing. Even though they knew the attackers and could have influenced them."

 

The prosecutor is seeking a prison sentence and at least six months of community service for each of the defendants.

 

Meanwhile, the defense team was angered by the prosecutor's request claiming that the plea bargain included and agreement by which the prosecution would seek a sentence of community services without specifying a time frame and without a prison sentence.

 

The defense attorney made it clear that they believe the agreements at the basis of the plea bargain through which the accused were convicted.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.21.11, 12:54
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