Panayiotou in new bail application
A fresh bail application looms for murder accused Christopher Panayiotou, who will this time ask the court to release him from custody on condition he wears an electronic ankle tracking bracelet. Panayiotou's legal team is hoping to bring a new bail bid before his next court appearance on December 2.His lawyers have asked the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court to order the prosecution to hand over copies of the docket so they can prepare.One of the main reasons for the initial denial of bail in the magistrate's court, and later before the Grahamstown High Court, was based on the state's contention that they had built up a strong case.The defence now wants to see the docket so they can dispute this.Yesterday state advocate Marius Stander and defence team Alwyn Griebenow and advocate Terry Price, SC, met magistrate Abigail Beeton.Stander will tomorrow give written reasons as to why the docket should not be handed over.Panayiotou is accused of being behind his wife, Jayde's, murder in April.It is alleged he hired a bouncer to recruit hitmen to kidnap and murder the 29-year-old schoolteacher.Panayiotou's former employee Luthando Siyoli, 31, has turned state witness. Panayiotou stands trial with Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, and Sinethemba Nenembe, 28...
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