Deividas Skebas Sentenced for Murder of Nine-Year-Old Lilia Valutyte
Deividas Skebas, a 26-year-old man, has been sentenced for the murder of nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte, who was stabbed in the heart while playing in the street in Boston, Lincolnshire. The tragic incident occurred on July 28, 2022, outside her mother's embroidery shop, where Lilia was enjoying a hula hoop. Skebas was found guilty of murder earlier this month at Lincoln Crown Court, following a trial that delved into his mental state and bizarre claims.
Schizophrenia and Diminished Responsibility Defence
During the trial, it was revealed that Skebas is diagnosed with schizophrenia. He admitted to killing Lilia but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility, arguing that his mental condition affected his state of mind at the time of the attack. This defence required the jury to carefully assess his psychological state, ultimately leading to his conviction for murder. Clinicians treating Skebas have expressed doubts about his potential for recovery, highlighting the severity of his delusions.
Bizarre Request to Contact NASA
In a shocking twist, the court heard that after the killing, Skebas asked police to contact NASA, claiming he had "the power to resurrect" Lilia if they reached out to "his controller in Nasa." Defence barrister Andrew Campbell-Tiech KC described Skebas as "quite obviously deluded," emphasizing the depth of his mental illness. However, prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC countered this by stating, "This deliberate murder was clearly a wicked act. He knew his conduct was wrong. He knew he was killing a child," underscoring the gravity of the crime.
Victim Impact Statements from Lilia's Family
Lilia's mother, Lina Savickiene, delivered a heart-wrenching victim impact statement in court, noting that her daughter would have turned 13 on February 2. She expressed, "This is not something you recover from. Sometimes terrifying thoughts overwhelm the mind and during this trial there have been many, many more," adding, "Why her? Why us? The questions remain unanswered." Her stepfather, Aurelijus Savickas, described Lilia as "a beautiful soul with a growing character and strong personality," who loved drawing and painting, often transforming a wall in her bedroom into a canvas for her imagination.
Community and Police Response
Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Lovatt previously commented on the case, stating, "Lilia Valutyte was a young girl who had her whole life ahead of her. Indeed on Monday 2nd February it should have been her 13th birthday. She was dearly loved by her family and friends and did not deserve to lose her life. Those who knew her will forever mourn the loss of her future and the impact of her tragic death can still be felt in our community today." The sentencing marks a somber conclusion to a case that has deeply affected the local community and raised awareness about knife crime and mental health issues in violent acts.
