Nearly two years after helicopter pilot Babis Anagnostopoulos suffocated his British wife in Glyka Nera, Athens in a case that shocked Greece, he has now launched an appeal, according to The Guardian.
Anagnostopoulos’ effort to reduce his 27-year life sentence started at an appeals court trial in Athens on Monday, where he told the tribunal that although the murder of Caroline Crouch had filled him with shame, it was not premeditated.
“In no way did I want to hurt my wife,” the UK-trained aviator stated. “I had nothing to gain. What I loved was lost that day. I am ashamed… and hate myself. I want to say sorry to everyone.”
Anagnostopoulos confessed to the murder after initially attempting to blame foreign robbers for the death of Crouch, his 19-year old wife. Evidence from Crouch’s smartwatch led to him confessing to killing her using a pillow.
The court will rehear the pilot’s case with new evidence considered 12 months after he was found guilty by a lower tribunal in Athens. The next session is scheduled for May 30.
Anagnostopoulos’ lawyer, Alexandros Papaioannides, mentioned that six witnesses, who had not testified, will speak before the appeals court in the pilot’s defence.
“There are going to be quite a lot of new witnesses and documents… that will help reverse [the court’s handling] of this case,” the lawyer said.
The pilot hopes mitigating circumstances and his good behaviour in a maximum-security jail will help convince the appeals court to reduce his jail term.
Source: The Guardian
