Court weighs murder or manslaughter charge in Kokkola neighbor dispute shooting

A 64-year-old man who fatally shot his female neighbor on a street in Kokkola last spring will face continued proceedings in Ostrobothnia District Court on Thursday, where prosecutors and judges must determine whether the killing constitutes murder or manslaughter, Yle reports.

The woman died in hospital from injuries sustained when the man fired a shotgun at her twice during a confrontation. Prosecutors allege the attack culminated years of neighbor disputes and have demanded a life sentence for murder. The defendant admits to the killing but denies both the murder charge and allegations of exceptional brutality in the method.

The court issued an interim ruling last June, confirming the man’s guilt in the fatal shooting but deferring sentencing pending a psychiatric evaluation—requested by the defendant himself—which has since been completed while he remained in custody. The final verdict and potential sentence will now be decided in the resumed trial.

The shooting occurred on Lehtotie street near Piispanmäki School in Kokkola.