Episode 95: Julius Czapla.

Content Warning: This case involves the death of a child. As always, we want our listeners to look after themselves, so if you feel that this episode may be distressing for you we would advise you to possibly skip this episode or listen to another one instead.

This week Emma tells the tragic story of Julius Czapla, a two-year-old boy living in Edinburgh, who was murdered by his own father.
Emma describes how the breakdown of Julius' parents relationship led his father to display worrying behaviour.
We hear about how Julius' father made the decision to kill his son in order to punish Julius' mother, before attempting to take his own life.
We also hear how, after failing in the attempt to take his own life, Julius' father attempted to use his diminished mental state as a defence for the terrible act.


Case research by Emma Taylor
Produced by Emma Taylor & Joannagh Shanks
Editing by Shaun O'Neill
Music by Tribe of Noise


Sources of research:

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/julius-czapla-first-pictures-emerge-19330722

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/tributes-after-two-year-old-19324590

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/julius-czaplas-killer-father-was-a-good-dad-court-told-j598zxgnp

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/8803589/julius-czapla-mum-tribute/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/high-court-edinburgh-polish-b2063564.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/edinburgh-high-court-b2063396.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-61319315

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-61275912

https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2022/may/conviction-of-lukasz-czapla-for-murder-of-julius-czapla-at-high-court-in-edinburgh/

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/julius-czapla-edinburgh-dad-ordered-to-serve-minimum-23-years-for-murdering-his-toddler-son-3680318

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/8828243/lukasz-czapla-indecent-images-children-court/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/may/04/father-who-killed-his-two-year-old-son-sentenced-to-life