American man stabs himself to death in Taiwan courtroom after being found guilty of drug offences
The 41-year-old American -- who was sitting in a courtroom in Taiwan during his sentencing on drug possession charges -- plunged the object deep into his neck, unleashing a gush of blood, according tot
Some witnesses identified the object as a pair of scissors, but others said they saw Marhanka using two objects, both metallic. Court officials told the Times that the American separated a pair of scissors into two sharp blades.
The shocking act occurred moments after a judge gave Marhanka a four-year prison sentence for smuggling poppy seeds into the country and growing marijuana, according to the paper.
Marhanka was arrested in April 2015 after police discovered a large stash of illegal drugs at a rented house, which included hundreds of cannabis plants and 10 opium poppies, according to the Times.
He told police the plants were a "hobby" that he intended to use on his own, the paper reported.
Witnesses told the Times that, after the judge read the sentence out loud, Marhanka turned to the interpreter, who informed him of the sentence.
"Four years?" a shocked Marhanka was heard saying.
Witnesses told the paper that the interpreter explained to Marhanka that the sentence could be appealed, but Marhanka said he didn't want to do so.
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"We deeply regret that Tyrel Martin Marhanka killed himself during the sentencing," the court said in a statement, according to the AFP report. "He was cooperative during the investigation and the trial. His attitude was mild and he did not show any signs that he would commit suicide."
