A court interpreter played an important role by translating in a murder-for-hire-plot in Michigan. Zoran Vezirovic conspired to hire Kevin Hill to kill Vezirovic's ex-girlfriend and her live-in boyfriend. Vezirovic was found guilty of the crime he was charged and sentenced to from 12 to 20 years behind bars.
Not only did Vezirovic have problems with the English language, but he was also mentally impaired. In fact, Judge Diane Druzinski stated, "I think, based on the overall circumstances of this crime and the co-defendant's sentence, the defendant's mental ability (and issues) are substantial (and) keenly and uniquely grab this court's attention."
When given an opportunity to speak, Verzirovic only uttered one sentence through an interpreter, stating, "I'm not guilty and I want an appeal." Verzirovic's native language is Bosnian, therefore, having a translator during trial proceedings and interpreting the transcripts into his language was costly. In fact, Vezirovic was ordered to pay restitution to the court in the amount of $23,218 for interpretation and translation services.
28 July 2008
