Port Elizabeth – The bail application of Christopher Panayiotou got underway just after 10:00 in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
A haggard and pale-looking Panayiotou arrived in court room 26 just before 10:00 dressed in a black suit. He has spent three weeks behind bars.
Panayiotou exchanged a few words with his defence attorney Alwyn Griebenow before sitting in the dock, staring resolutely in front of him while the media jostled to get photographs of him.
His family sat neatly dressed in the front row of the public gallery.
A very strong media contingent also filled the court room.
There was no sign of Panayiotou’s advocate Terry Price on Wednesday.
Investigating officer Kanna Swanepoel was also in court.
Accused
Panayiotou is accused of master-minding the murder of his wife, Jayde’s murder.
Panayiotou, 28, Thando Siyoli, 31 and Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, were arrested in the days following Jayde’s disappearance.
She was last seen waiting outside their home in Kabega Park for her lift to Riebeeck Park High School on Tuesday, April 21. She was found dead outside Kwanobuhle township in Uitenhage the following day.
Panayiotou’s arrest was a shock after he had read a moving eulogy at her funeral, which turned out to have been taken in large part from a post on a website.
He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder; robbery with aggravated circumstances; kidnapping; murder; and defeating the ends of justice.
News24
Court packed ahead for Panayiotou's bail hearing http://t.co/ypSHFiOvaj pic.twitter.com/ERVBrbYSRm
— Times LIVE (@TimesLIVE) May 20, 2015
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