Panayiotou's second stab at freedom
Today murder-accused Christopher Panayiotou will make a second attempt to get bail when his lawyers make an application in the Grahamstown High Court. Panayiotou, 28, has hired advocate Mike Hellens, SC, since his failed bid in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court last month.Panayiotou is accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife, Jayde, 29, in April.It is alleged he paid a bouncer at his night club, Luthando Siyoli, 31, to hire hitman Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, to kidnap and murder Jayde. All three men are in custody and Siyoli has since turned state witness.Panayiotou will not attend today's proceedings.It is expected that the state's argument will remain the same, that Panayiotou is a flight risk and will interfere with the prosecution's case should he be released from custody, but the defence will argue that, in the earlier hearing, magistrate Abigail Beeton erred in her ruling...
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