Brocilo Testifies In Own Defense, Denies Involvement in Murder
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Brocilo has been charged with killing Kata Matic, an elderly woman and civilian, in the village of Gornja Josava in the municipality of Vukosavlje between August and September 1992. Gornja Josava was previously located in the municipality of Odzak.
Testifying in his own defense at today’s hearing, Brocilo said he and Miroslav Pantic, Ljiljana Brocilovic, Jovan Popadic and Drago Brocilo travelled by tractor to Gornja Josava.
“Ljiljana Brocilovic, Jovan Popadic and Drago Brocilo got off the tractor. Miroslav was the driver. We continued driving in order to make a U-turn. Miroslav had the rifle. I walked towards the others. Miroslav was walking around the houses. I heard a gunshot. I didn’t see what happened. I didn’t enter the house,” Brocilo said.
He said that prior to giving a statement to the district prosecution of Doboj in 2015, he had never been examined regarding Kata Matic’s murder before. He said he heard that the police questioned Miroslav Pantic after the murder and that they “hung and beat” him on that occasion.
Brocilo said that while being examined by the district prosecution of Doboj, he denied having been present at the crime scene when Matic was killed because of threats he received from Miroslav Pantic. Pantic testified at this trial as a witness for the prosecution.
Statements given by Mate Blazevic and Ante Udovicic on the discovery and identification of Matic’s body were read at today’s hearing.
In statements given to the police administration in Odzak, Blazevic said he found human remains in a trench in Gornja Josava. Udovicic said he was Matic’s closest relative and identified the body.
The trial will continue on December 8.
