Man charged with murder over Sastamala killing

A 40-year-old man has been charged with murder over a killing in Sastamala, Yle reports. The Pirkanmaa District Court is due to hear the case on October 21.

Police initially suspected two men of involvement, but prosecutors have charged only one. The accused has been in custody since August 5.

The killing took place in a private home in central Sastamala on August 1. Police first investigated it as manslaughter before changing the classification to murder. Murder can apply when a killing is committed in a particularly brutal or cruel manner.

The man charged has previously been convicted of drug offences. Police are also investigating a separate suspected killing in Sastamala on September 16 as manslaughter. That incident took place in a private home.