Thoma to defend actions in triple murder case

A prima facie case against Christakis Thoma, 31, who is standing trial in connection with the murder of two brothers and their cousin in Limassol last year, has been established by the prosecution and he will be called to defend himself, the criminal court ruled on Friday.

Thoma is accused of having fatally stabbed the two brothers, Paraschos and Constantinos Ntorzis, 19 and 21, and Emilios Miltiadous, 24, after chasing them in the alleys near Platia Iroon in downtown Limassol. The killing happened last November, after the three went to his father’s restaurant in order to confront Thoma over allegations that he had beaten up his girlfriend, who had also been friendly with the brothers.

During Friday’s hearing, the prosecution argued that its two final witnesses should be removed from the witness list on the grounds that they changed their original statement to the police.

The court ruled that one of the witnesses could take the stand.

He described everything he saw on the night of November 24, 2015, including Thoma’s chase of the three young men and the death of the first victim, Paraschos Ntorzis.

The witness owns a restaurant in Platia Iroon, near the restaurant owned and operated by Thoma’s father, where the defendant had been when the three victims arrived.

He said he saw three young men he didn’t know heading toward Thoma’s restaurant, where they grabbed chairs and started swearing at the 31-year-old, calling him out.

When Thoma did, he was wielding a large kitchen knife, and he asked them to put the chairs down and talk as he moved toward them.

They moved back, and Thoma was moving in the direction of the witness’ restaurant.

The witness asked him to let them go, but he chased them in the alleys around Platia Iroon.

The witness, Thoma’s father, and a third individual, chased after him but failed to stop him.

When they called to him to drop the knife, the witness said, Thoma strapped it to his trousers and raised his arms, saying he wasn’t holding anything, but kept chasing the victims.

The witness said he saw the first victim, Paraschos Ntorzis, lose his balance and bump into a parked car, when the 31-year-old hit him and stuck the knife in his chest, before resuming the chase for the other two.

He said he tried to help the victim, but he died in his arms, and then he saw the second victim lying nearby.

After the court ruled that a prima facie case had been established against Thoma, who is denying the triple-murder charges, the defendant’s lawyer said he would consult with his client on whether he should take the stand or not.

The case resumes on December 20.