Liam Hast, a 26-year-old man, was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the district court for murder and violence against a public official. The verdict sparked an appeal from both the prosecutor and the victim's relatives who are seeking a life sentence, arguing that the crime's heinous nature warrants the maximum punishment. The case has drawn significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the attack and the ongoing legal debates regarding the appropriate sentence.

The proceedings in the Court of Appeal primarily focused on Hast's intent and the length of the sentence. The prosecution contended that the attack was so ruthless that only a life sentence would be justified. However, the defense argued for a fixed-term sentence, maintaining that the circumstances did not support such a harsh punishment. Ultimately, the Court of Appeal determined that there were insufficient grounds to impose a life sentence, upholding the original 18-year sentence.

In the appeal, the prosecution emphasized that the circumstances of the murder indicated Hast's intention to kill when he attacked with a knife. However, the Court of Appeal disagreed with the district court's interpretation of the evidence, concluding that it had not been sufficiently proven that Hast delivered more than one stab wound. Hence, the Court of Appeal reached a similar conclusion to the district court regarding intent, ruling that a direct intention to kill was not established by the evidence presented.