Indicted Man Dies at Tzalmon Prison Hours After Court Hearing
Shimon Weisfeld, indicted on Friday for assaulting his elderly mother, died hours later at Tzalmon Prison on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, prompting an official investigation by the Israel Prison Service.
Police filed an indictment on Friday against 53-year-old Kiryat Motzkin resident Shimon Weisfeld, who subsequently died hours later at the Tzalmon Prison on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. The Israel Prison Service stated that an investigative team has been appointed to probe the inmate's death.
According to the indictment, Weisfeld repeatedly assaulted his elderly mother, Polina, while living with her, leaving her in constant fear. He allegedly beat her on multiple occasions, causing actual bodily harm and threatening her life by stating, "I will kill you."
Officers from the Zevulun police station arrested him the previous Sunday, charging him with aggravated assault causing bodily harm and making threats, while requesting his detention until the end of legal proceedings.
During a hearing at the Haifa Magistrate's Court on Friday, Judge Alwaz Zaaroura granted the police request to hold him until further notice, despite Weisfeld repeatedly complaining about his health. Following a request by defense attorney Lior Bar Zohar and with the consent of police representative Kobi Cohen, the judge ordered the Prison Service to transfer Weisfeld for a psychiatric evaluation.
Before the holiday began, Bar Zohar forwarded the decision for urgent processing, but Weisfeld, detained at the Tzalmon Prison, passed away on the eve of the holiday.
