A Budapest courtroom moved a step closer to judgment in the case of an Irish man accused over the death of American tourist Mackenzie Michalski, with the judge on Friday postponing proceedings until 7 July.
The latest hearing was held today at the Metropolitan Court of Budapest.
Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old nurse from the United States, was in Budapest on a visit when she disappeared on 4 November 2024.
Police arrested a 38-year-old Irish suspect three days later.
In November last year, Budapest’s Metropolitan Prosecutor’s Office brought a manslaughter charge against the defendant, classified in Hungarian law as ‘basic homicide’, indicating that prosecutors do not allege premeditation.
The case went to trial in April this year.
The accused has consistently said that Ms Michalski died by accident.
Although closing submissions from both sides had been expected today, only the prosecution presented its final argument.
Defence lawyer, Dr György Magyar, asked to make his closing argument on behalf of the accused at the next hearing instead.
Judge Dr Fedér Szabolcs then ended the session early and scheduled the next court date for 7 July.
A verdict in the case is expected on 7 July.
Ms Michalski’s parents and brother travelled from the US to be present in court for today’s hearing.
According to the indictment, the defendant met Ms Michalski at a Budapest nightclub on the evening of 4 November 2024.
The pair drank at a bar and danced together before later going to the man’s rented apartment in the city, where prosecutors allege he assaulted and strangled her during sexual intercourse.
After the woman’s death, the accused told police he cleaned the apartment and bought a large suitcase, which he used to conceal her body.
He then rented a car, drove the suitcase to a wooded area near Lake Balaton — about a two-hour journey south-west of Budapest — and hid Ms Michalski’s body there.
In her closing submission, prosecution lawyer Dr Márta Daróci argued that Ms Michalski’s death amounted to ‘dolus eventualis’, a legal concept referring to indirect intent in circumstances where an accused person recognises the likely consequences of their actions.
Dr Daróci asked the court to impose a prison term of more than 10 years.
Under Hungarian law, manslaughter carries a sentence of five to 15 years in prison.
During today’s hearing, Dr György, the defence lawyer, asked the court to order a psychological assessment of the deceased victim, but the judge rejected the request.
Applications for bail made by the defence during pre-trial proceedings and throughout the trial have also been refused by the court.
