Court orders accused in Songaila assault case brought to hearing

A court in Šiauliai has again been unable to begin hearing the case against a man accused of injuring basketball coach Darius Songaila, and has ordered that he be brought to the next session. LRT reported that the defendant, Artūras Bernotas, missed Friday’s hearing, saying he was ill.

Nijolė Damulė, a spokesperson for the Šiauliai District Court, said Bernotas had not provided a medical certificate either this time or at a hearing a month earlier. The judge hearing the case, Aleksandras Prygunkovas, had ordered him to submit documentation confirming his illness. The court has scheduled the next hearing for November 6 and again required Bernotas to provide medical records.

Songaila, who coaches the Šiauliai men’s team, was also absent. The 48-year-old had asked to take part remotely.

The attack took place on the evening of May 19 on A. J. Greimo Street in central Šiauliai. Songaila was walking his small family dog near the Saulės miestas shopping centre when a large, aggressive dog appeared without a muzzle. He picked up his dog, then pushed the other animal away with his foot when it continued to approach.

The other dog’s owner then ran up and hit Songaila with a heavy leash. Its chain cut his head and chipped a tooth. The assailant fled, and Songaila contacted police. Investigators later identified the suspect, despite difficulties caused by poor-quality video footage.

The indictment says Bernotas deliberately punched Songaila once in the face in a public place and in front of other people, acting out of hooligan motives. It also states that his dog was off its leash and without a muzzle. Bernotas is charged with causing minor bodily harm for hooligan motives, an offence punishable by up to five years in prison. He had previously had trouble with law enforcement, but his earlier convictions have expired.