Andorra Court Cuts Woman's Attempted Murder Sentence Due to Mental Incapacity

Andorra's Superior Court has reduced the prison sentence of a woman convicted of attempted murder after slashing her partner's neck with a razor blade, citing partial mental incapacity from her psychological disorders.

The court partially upheld her appeal against an initial five-year sentence from the first instance court—four years firm and one conditional. The updated penalty totals four years: three years to be served in prison and one year conditional, subject to psychiatric treatment, monitoring, and possible inpatient care. The conditional portion is suspended for four years if she complies. Having served one year and two months already, she could be released in just over one year.

The incident occurred on 8 October 2024 at an aparthotel in Encamp, where she inflicted a 15-centimetre neck wound on her then-partner. Forensic reports noted the injury came within millimetres of endangering his life. Prosecutors argued the act showed deliberate intent to kill, given the wound's severity and her subsequent behaviour.

Her defence appealed, citing a mental breakdown triggered by a toxic relationship. They described the slash as accidental amid a severe emotional crisis involving panic and self-harm, rather than an attempt to kill. The lawyers highlighted her untreated psychological disorders and requested reclassification as aggravated intentional injuries with a weapon. The Superior Court accepted psychiatric evidence of her mental state but rejected full exoneration, holding her responsible while applying the partial exclusion to lower the sentence.

The ruling emphasises combining punishment with therapy to prevent recidivism and ensure public safety, while acknowledging the attack's objective gravity. No updates are available on the victim's condition.