THE defence in the ongoing trial for the murder of Sigma owner Andis Hadjicostis yesterday accused the prosecution of “coming up with excuses” to avoid handing over the report on the star witness’ psychopathic behaviour dating back to his army service.
“We are examining (the witness’) character and it’s important for the defence to have these documents,” said Elena Skordelli’s lawyer, Michalakis Kyprianou, adding that they put in a request for the army report on May 9.
“They’ve been waiting (to cross-examine) this witness for a year and a half. Now they remember (to request the report)?” state prosecutor Elena Kleopa responded.
She added that “what the defence is asking is unheard of, since it’s unprecedented for the defence to ask for material stemming from a different case”.
Nonetheless, Kleopa proceeded to claim that the National Guard had already delivered the witness’ military record, and that the defence had received it.
“We already gave to the defence the witness’ criminal record during his army service, the numbers of pending criminal charges against him and his testimonies, and there is nothing else at my end to deliver,” Kleopa said.
Star-witness Fanos Hadjigeorgiou was given immunity and a place in the witness protection programme in return for testifying against the crime’s alleged masterminds Elena Skordelli, her brother Tasos Krasopoulis, alleged shooter Gregoris Xenofontos and alleged fixer Andreas Gregoriou.
The defence has been trying to discredit Hadjigeorgiou’s credibility as a prosecution witness and poke holes in his story.
A similar scenario played out yesterday with Kyprianou accusing the witness of collaborating with a person who allegedly gave Hadjigeorgiou his motorcycle helmet so that “they would both get off the hook”.
“The only one speaking truth around here is me,” snapped Hadjigeorgiou in a reprise of the by-now familiar exchange of the defence accusing him of lying and Hadjigeorgiou resolutely defending his honesty.
Kyprianou put to Hadjigeorgiou that he was actually the one who shot Hadjicostis, which the witness denied.
Continuing in his attempts to shed doubt on the star witness’ credibility, Kyprianou rehashed two robbery cases dating back to the end of 2009, asking Hadjigeorgiou how he was involved.
The witness admitted that police had investigated him on both cases but that nothing incriminating was found against him.
Hadjicostis was gunned down outside his home on January 11 last year. The trial continues.
