A 19-year-old man faces trial in Finland's South Savo District Court for murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors demand a life sentence for the brutal attacks that occurred in July.
The man stands accused of attempting to murder a 30-year-old taxi driver in Jyväskylä. He then allegedly traveled to Mikkeli and killed a 60-year-old woman.
Prosecutors say the suspect attacked the taxi driver with a serrated kitchen knife, striking his head and neck multiple times. When the driver escaped the vehicle, the assailant reportedly kicked him in the head before stealing the taxi.
The man then drove to Mikkeli where he entered a sleeping woman's home. Prosecutors state he struck her head repeatedly with a hammer found in a cleaning room. The woman died from her injuries.
Authorities say the suspect then set the house on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. The woman and location were familiar to him, and he knew the doors would be unlocked.
Court documents reveal the man had searched Google for terms including 'first murder,' 'rape and murder,' and 'what do you get for murder' before the attacks. Prosecutors argue this shows premeditation.
In police interviews, the taxi driver described how the passenger sat in the front seat and tried to slit his throat. He defended himself with a cleaning spray bottle before escaping his seatbelt.
'I clearly experienced that his intention was to kill me,' the driver told investigators.
The suspect admitted attacking the taxi driver to steal the vehicle but claimed he didn't intend to kill him. He said he had been drinking and was on leave from military service.
Regarding the woman's killing, the man said he panicked when she woke up. He claimed he only meant to knock her unconscious.
Police captured the suspect in Kangasniemi, South Savo after an extensive search. He had fled in the woman's car.
Public records indicate the victim operated a family foster care business. Authorities haven't confirmed whether this connected her to the suspect.
The case highlights concerning aspects of digital evidence in violent crimes, with search history becoming increasingly crucial in establishing intent in criminal proceedings.