Six men jailed in negligent homicide tree felling case

Six young men are convicted of negligent homicide under particularly aggravating circumstances in a tree-felling case and sentenced to 1 to 1 year and 2 months imprisonment, with a mandatory six months custody. They felled a tree over a dark country road in Sorø, instantly killing a 55-year-old after-school teacher. The court emphasized the conscious disregard for others’ safety and the men’s decision to fell the tree together. Two men largely responsible received the highest sentences and were also found guilty of failing to aid the teacher in obvious danger. They viewed the act as ‘boyish pranks’ intended to create uproar. The six must pay 75,000 DKK in compensation to the deceased’s wife and have all been convicted of an earlier tree-felling incident involving vandalism. One accepts the sentence, while the others consider an appeal. Additionally, three more men are convicted for felling trees in March last year.