Danijeve posljednje riječi: "Pogledaj što si mi učinio, gotov sam".

On February 29, 2024, a tragic incident occurred at the local bar known as "Bar P17 Varna hiša" located on the railway station in Most na Soči. The victim was Dani Blagojević, a 25-year-old train worker from the village of Dolje near Tolmin. He had been invited by his colleagues to celebrate his birthday at the bar. Around eight in the evening, after several hours of drinking and socializing, a conflict arose involving David Štrukelj, a 57-year-old regular patron of the establishment who hailed from Stopnik on the Tolminski region. Štrukelj, who had previously worked as a mannequin in Italy, was known among locals as difficult and aggressive, often under the influence of alcohol and drugs. According to reports, he entered the bar drunk, loudly questioned whether there were any problems that needed resolving, and ordered a glass of wine.

Dani, apparently disturbed by Štrukelj's behavior, asked him to leave the premises. Initially complying, Štrukelj soon returned and attacked Dani from behind without warning. He stabbed him in the back and then in the chest area. During this attack, another guest named Erik Č. attempted to intervene but was also injured when Štrukelj cut him on the hand. Dani suffered severe injuries and died from blood loss at the scene. His last words, according to some accounts, were reportedly, “Look what you’ve done to me. It’s over with me.”

The incident led to legal proceedings against Štrukelj, who was charged with murder and causing serious bodily harm. A psychiatric evaluation conducted prior to the trial indicated that Štrukelj was significantly impaired at the time of the crime due to personality and behavioral disorders, along with the use of cannabinoids and alcohol. Blood tests revealed that he had between 2.40 and 3.19 percent alcohol in his bloodstream during the incident. Two psychiatrists testified about his condition, one of whom noted that his mental state was on the verge of being considered legally insane.

In December of the previous year, the District Court in Nova Gorica sentenced Štrukelj to nine years in prison for the lesser charge of "murder on impulse." This conviction did not include the charges of causing serious bodily harm, which were dismissed by the court. The prosecution, however, disagreed with the verdict and filed an appeal. They argued that the lower court misinterpreted the circumstances surrounding the incident and that Štrukelj should have received a more severe punishment. The prosecution recommended a sentence of thirteen and a half years in prison or a retrial.

Štrukelj's defense attorney, Bruno Krivic, supported the appeal, stating that the lower court incorrectly assessed the expert opinions regarding Štrukelj's mental state. He pointed out that a psychiatrist, Dragan Terzič, had previously evaluated Štrukelj in two other cases in 2016 and 2019, concluding that he was legally insane at the time of those incidents. Given that Štrukelj's condition had worsened since then, Krivic argued that the current case should also consider him legally insane. Additionally, he claimed that the length of the sentence imposed was excessive compared to similar cases in recent years, where sentences of less than four and a half years had been common.

The higher court in Koper is currently reviewing the appeal. The prosecution has presented its arguments before the court, emphasizing that the initial judgment failed to properly assess the situation within the bar and the severity of the crime committed. The court will now decide whether to uphold the original conviction of "murder on impulse" or remand the case for a new trial. The decision is expected to be announced within 30 days.

The community in Tolmin has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, with many describing Štrukelj negatively, even referring to him as "not fit for society." Locals mentioned that he had struggled with substance abuse, frequent conflicts, and had caused numerous issues throughout his life. Some residents had even tried to have him evicted from his home in Stopnik, though they were unsuccessful. The impact of the incident extended beyond the immediate family, affecting friends and acquaintances who attended the funeral, which drew nearly a thousand attendees.

As the legal process continues, the focus remains on ensuring justice for Dani Blagojević and providing clarity on the appropriate legal consequences for Štrukelj. The outcome of the appeal could set a precedent for future cases involving similar circumstances, particularly concerning the assessment of mental impairment and the severity of punishments for crimes committed under such conditions. The community awaits the final ruling with anticipation, hoping for both closure and accountability.