Search for
Search for
Search forBalcony jump dad John Hogan to appeal against verdict on son's death
Monday, August 18, 2008, 08:00
Avon coroner Paul Forrest ruled earlier this year that six-year-old Liam had been unlawfully killed.
He was pushed to his death by former tiler Hogan, 34, of Bradley Stoke, from a balcony during a holiday in Crete two years ago.
Legal sources are reported to have said Hogan wants the unlawful killing ruling quashed so that he can avoid a murder trial in Britain.
Hogan was cleared of murder by a Greek court in January. The jury decided he had not murdered Liam but had been suffering from "an earthquake of insanity".
Hogan pushed Liam and his two-year-old sister, Mia, before jumping himself following a row with his then wife, Natasha. Liam died, but Mia survived the 50ft plunge.
In March this year an inquest into Liam's death heard that the Greek trial had ignored evidence from key witnesses. Mr Forrest arrived at his verdict after taking this new evidence into account.
Hogan is being held in a secure psychiatric unit in Greece, where he is said to be making good progress.
He could be released in as little as four months.
The unlawful killing verdict and the police inquiry that has followed could open up the possibility of a new murder trial in Britain.
Hogan has appealed to the High Court for a judicial review of the coroner's verdict.
The case is expected to be heard in October and Hogan has been granted legal aid.
He is reported to have asked for the inquest verdict to be replaced by one which simply describes the circumstances of the death, a so-called narrative verdict.
The family of Hogan's former wife, Natasha Visser, are aware of the appeal. Her stepfather, Brian Chandler, who lives in Churchill, declined to comment.
Comment on this story