THE HIGH-profile trial for the murder of media boss Andis Hadjicostis took another turn for the bizarre yesterday with a witness claiming the “spirit” of the slain Sigma boss was present in the courtroom.
“Andis was here on Friday, and he is here today,” prosecution witness and psychic Kathleen Zachariou said under cross-examination.
Zachariou was being grilled by the defence lawyer representing Elena Skordelli – alleged mastermind behind the murder – over her testimony last Friday.
Zachariou had then told the court that Skordelli had asked her (Zachariou) to use her powers to send out positive vibes to Hadjicostis that would lead to a love affair between himself and Skordelli.
Zachariou claimed also that, following the murder, she became fearful for the life of one of Skordelli’s colleagues, because Skordelli – who had consulted Zachariou on several occasions – appeared extremely envious of that colleague.
The court has previously heard that Skordelli had covertly bought Sigma shares so that she could get her own show on the television station.
A witness acquainted with the situation testified that Hadjicostis had not wanted to give Skordelli her own show, and that she then tried to get her own way by buying her way into Sigma.
In court yesterday, the defence sought to discredit Zachariou, calling her a “coffee-cup reader” and a quack.
Attorney Michalakis Kyprianou, representing Skordelli, challenged Zachariou, saying her testimony was a “pack of lies” designed to boost her media exposure.
He further accused the witness of fabricating her testimony in exchange for cash and promises of appearances on the Sigma channel, accusations Zachariou denied.
Also yesterday, Kyprianou asked that the remainder of the trial be conducted behind closed doors and that access to the media be restricted. The bench rejected both motions.
Kyprianou argued that the coverage of Friday’s session by some media outlets was biased against his client.
In particular, he drew attention to subsequent headlines quoting what Skordelli had allegedly told the psychic, namely, “This is what happens in the world of the media, one must jump into several beds if they are to advance in their career.”
Kyprianou claimed the only reason the Attorney-general’s office (the prosecution) allowed Zachariou to take the stand was to further tarnish his client’s reputation in the public mind, but also to make it even more difficult for defence witnesses to appear in court.
The trial continues.
