[Mrluvaluva]

Balcony Plunge Dad Not Guilty Of Murder

From Sky News

A British dad who jumped from a hotel balcony with his children in Crete - killing his six-year-old son - has been cleared of murder but will be sent to a psychiatric unit, a court has ruled.

Both prosecution and defence lawyers had said John Hogan, who was also cleared of attempting to murder his daughter, should be hospitalised for psychiatric treatment.

And President Paraskeri Kiraleou, the senior judge at the trial, said: "His responsibility was diminished.

"He was incapable of murdering his son and he needs to be in a psychiatric unit for therapy."

Outside court, Hogan's ex-wife Natasha - in a statement read by her lawyer - said she felt as their son Liam had died "for nothing".

Hogan, 33, had described himself as a "beautiful" father while giving evidence to the Greek court.

He said: "I do not feel guilty because I did not do it.

"This person you see before you is not the person who jumped from the balcony, from the fourth floor. I already have my son's forgiveness and I have God's forgiveness."

Hogan denied the murder of Liam and the attempted murder of his two-year-old Mia, who survived the fall with a broken arm.

A jury of three men and a woman who sat alongside three judges ruled on the case.

Hogan will continue to receive treatment in Greece while the British and Greek authorities discuss his long-term care.

The defendant told the court he "never loved three people more" than his ex-wife and two children.

He added: "I loved my mother, I loved my two sisters but I loved my wife and children more than anything. They meant the world to me."

Mr Hogan said he was the best dad two children could have.

"I did not believe I was man enough to be a dad. But when Liam came along I was a beautiful dad."

He added: "Whatever you do to me in this court, no one can do to me what I have already done to myself.

"I have lost a daughter and I have lost a son until someone decides to take my life.

"You all know that a sane John Hogan would not do what he did that night so please do not judge me on that action. If there was any way I could get my son back, I would."

After breaking down in tears, Hogan - who was shaking - said: "My wife has every right to hate me. I took away her children."

He said he had no memory of the fateful night in the hotel, except his wife packing bags.

"I cannot remember it. I have tried to but I just cannot.

"When I sought help I was told I must have jumped with the two children in my arms because the only reason my daughter survived was because she landed on top of me."

The couple had been trying to rekindle their relationship but had argued during the break and Mrs Hogan was planning to leave early.

Hogan has been held in an Athens jail for 16 months and has attempted to kill himself several times since his arrest.

He has been treated for clinical depression and his lawyers argued he was not mentally fit to stand trial.


Original article here