Kladno — In the week before Christmas 2015, a brutal killing beneath a bridge in the Sítenské Valley shocked the Czech Republic. The victim, a 69-year-old homeless man known locally as “Dědek,” died after sustaining catastrophic injuries. The case, later examined in a lengthy court process, revealed not only extreme violence but also the chilling aftermath of silence among those involved.
Prosecutors charged three men — Petr Brejcha, Josef Řehák, and Marek Zajac — with murder. According to the indictment, a night of heavy drinking led to an argument that escalated into a sustained assault. The victim was punched, kicked, and stomped on, sustaining injuries incompatible with survival.
Forensic Evidence
Medical experts testified that the man died of polytrauma, including skull fractures, brain swelling, and broken ribs. The prosecutor, Tomáš Milec, emphasized that the attack targeted vital areas and could not be dismissed as accidental. “The intensity of violence left no chance of survival,” the court heard.
Conflicting Narratives
When the trial opened before the Krajský soud v Praze in June 2016, the absence of eyewitnesses allowed the defendants to offer conflicting accounts. Each minimized his own role while shifting blame to the others. Yet forensic evidence told a different story: the victim’s blood and DNA were found on all three men’s clothing and footwear.
One account described a disturbing scene after the assault, with the men continuing to drink and agreeing to keep quiet — a detail that underscored the moral gravity of the case.
Sentencing and Appeal
The trial court imposed severe sentences: 18 years for Řehák and 16 years each for Brejcha and Zajac. On appeal, the Vrchní soud v Praze adjusted the penalties but upheld the convictions, confirming that the assault was a joint act. All sentences are final and to be served in high-security facilities.
Broader Implications
Beyond the courtroom, the Kladno murder raised broader questions about how societies protect their most vulnerable and how collective violence can flourish in the shadows of neglect. It remains a stark reminder that silence after a crime can be as telling as the act itself.