A Greek court unanimously sentenced a man to life in prison Friday for the 2017 death of 11-year-old Mario, a boy struck...

A Greek court unanimously sentenced a man to life in prison Friday for the 2017 death of 11-year-old Mario, a boy struck by a stray bullet while watching his school's end-of-year celebration in Menidi, a suburb of Athens. The Mixed Jury Court found him guilty of manslaughter with probable intent, accepting the full recommendation of the prosecution and granting zero mitigating circumstances. Mario was a fifth-grade student at the 6th Primary School of Acharnes when he collapsed in the school courtyard during the ceremony. His mother was his classroom teacher and was present when he fell. Loud music from nearby celebrations meant no one immediately realized what had happened. He was rushed to Agia Sofia Children's Hospital and died hours later. A forensic examination confirmed he had been struck by a bullet fired into the air. Investigators determined that the convicted man and a second defendant had been celebrating nearby that day, firing weapons recklessly into the air. The second defendant was acquitted unanimously on a legal technicality involving the abolition of a relevant provision between 2019 and 2021. When the verdict was read, Mario's mother broke down in tears. Friends and relatives in the courtroom burst into applause, though the presiding judge noted this was not a verdict to celebrate but one that exposed deep failures in Greek society. Outside the courtroom, families of both defendants attacked television crews, according to ERT. Prosecutor Antonios Kasapis addressed the case with stark language, citing Herodotus and telling the court it is always an injustice when a parent buries a child. He argued the convicted man knew his gunfire could kill and accepted that risk. Mario's father spoke after the verdict, saying the family began their legal fight nine years ago without knowing where it would lead. He said he hoped the sentence would help bring an end to the reckless gunfire that still continues in the area, so that residents can walk the streets without fear of a stray bullet. #Greece #Menidi #Justice