Petition for an Acquittal of Ivet Staykova

I. Introduction

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
My name is Ivet Staykova, and I was detained at the age of 18 years and 5 months on charges of murdering my grandmother, Violeta Doneva. I am currently sentenced to 17 years in prison, without any unequivocal and indisputable evidence of my guilt. The purpose of this petition is to trigger a new review of my case and to achieve an acquittal once the real facts are established.

The goal of the petition is to draw attention to the inconsistencies and omissions in the investigation, as well as to my serious health problems and the lack of a fair trial. I kindly ask for your support in the effort to see truth and justice prevail.

II. Background of the Case

II.1. Childhood and Family Environment

I grew up in an environment of constant family conflicts, poverty, and emotional stress. From the age of 13, I found myself in unsuitable company, leading me to use various types of narcotics (Xanax, marijuana, stimulants, hallucinogens). Over time, this addiction became more severe and connected me with dangerous individuals.

Difficult conditions at home, constant arguments between my parents, and the lack of emotional support made me particularly vulnerable to substance abuse. Specialists noted that I suffer from severe mental disorders, including borderline personality disorder, affective disorder, hyperactive disorder, panic disorder.

II.2. The Day That Turned My Life Upside Down

On October 19, 2022, I woke up in a psychiatric ward in the city of Pazardzhik, heavily sedated and covered in bruises. One week later, I was informed that I was accused of murdering my grandmother. At that moment, I felt complete shock and confusion.

III. Nature of the Accusation and Issues in the Investigation

III.1. Missing or Unconvincing Evidence

• Absence of blood under my nails: In such a serious crime, there should be obvious traces (blood, tissues) under my nails, yet none were found.

• Severe injuries: At the same time, I suffered a serious injury (broken pelvis and pubic bone), which limited my physical abilities.

• Locked doors: I did not have a key to the apartment; nevertheless, the premises were locked after the murder.

• Unidentified perpetrator on camera footage: The cameras are unable to conclusively identify the perpetrator.

• Uninvestigated foreign DNA: Although foreign DNA was found at the crime scene, the investigation did not focus on other potential suspects.

• Lack of questioning: I was never questioned in detail; the crime scene was not secured immediately, compromising the reliability of the collected evidence.

III.2. Formal and Procedural Omissions

• Lack of an independent expert assessment: No thorough psychiatric evaluation was appointed to determine my actual health condition and its impact on my behavior.

• Disregard for the presumption of innocence: According to Article 31 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty (see resources below).

• Limited legal consultations: My lawyers did not receive adequate access to all collected evidence and were unable to conduct necessary investigations on their own.

IV. Health Condition and Subsequent Diagnoses

Alongside the stress from the arrest and the accusation, I developed additional diagnoses—reactive depression and panic disorder. These were added to already existing conditions: borderline personality disorder and psychiatric complications related to long-term narcotics use. At the moment, I have records of six diagnoses:

1. Borderline personality disorder

2. Affective disorder

3. Hyperactive disorder

4. Behavioral problems due to psychoactive substances

5. Panic disorder

6. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These health issues were not properly taken into account during the trial. Even though my condition could have influenced any self-incriminating statements, this was never thoroughly examined.

V. Legal Grounds for a Retrial and a Request for Acquittal

• Presumption of Innocence
  In accordance with Article 31 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

• Lack of Sufficient Evidence
  Under the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) [Article 303, Paragraph 2] (see links below), a conviction must be based on categorical and indisputable evidence.

• Violated Procedural Rules
  The absence of additional expert assessments and the unprotected crime scene may lead to compromised evidence collection.

• Unconducted Medical Expertise
  In order to establish my mental and physical incapacity (fractures, mental disorders), a comprehensive forensic medical evaluation should have been ordered.

Taking all of the above into consideration, it is imperative that the case be reviewed by a higher court instance or that the investigation be reopened to eliminate any doubts regarding the objectivity and legality of the procedure.

VI. Appeal to Society and Institutions

Distinguished representatives of the judiciary, bar associations, human rights organizations, and fellow citizens, this petition is a plea for justice. I urge you to support my request for an acquittal or at least a new, independent, and detailed investigation of the case.

I believe that with your support, we can focus on uncovering the truth and adhering to legal procedures. Your signatures, sharing on social media, and appeals to the competent authorities are of utmost importance to my fate.

You will find parts of the evidence from the case at the very end.

VII. Conclusion

My case is a telling example of how insufficiently transparent investigations and the lack of detailed expert evaluations can lead to a conviction that is not based on indisputable evidence. Now, I need the voices and support of people who believe in justice and value everyone’s rights.

Let us unite in order to fight for truth and legality!

Metamorphosis    Contact the author of the petition