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04/11/2008
Balcony Fall Father To Appeal Inquest Ruling
A father who threw his two children off a balcony, killing his young son, has gained permission to appeal against an inquest verdict of unlawful killing.
John Hogan, 34, of Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire, was cleared of the murder of his six-year-old son Liam, by a Greek court in January.
He pushed his son and his two-year-old sister, Mia, off the fourth-floor balcony whilst on holiday in Crete two years ago, following a row with his then wife Natasha.
Liam died of head injuries, but Mia survived the 50ft plunge.
Mr Hogan was committed to a psychiatric unit in Greece for at least three years. However, during an inquest in March this year, a British coroner ruled the six-year-old boy had been unlawfully killed.
The verdict led to a police inquiry that could open up the possibility of a new murder trial in Britain.
Two High Court judges - Lord Justice Dyson and Mr Justice Griffith Williams - ruled Mr Hogan's case raised "serious points that are plainly arguable" and have given him permission to seek a judicial review.
The judge ruled: "In my judgment it is, to put it at its lowest, arguable that the coroner was wrong to regard Mr Hogan's 'mens rea' (whether or not he actually intended to commit a crime) as irrelevant (to his verdict)."
Mr Hogan's ex-wife, who has since remarried, is said to be "distressed" at the news of a review.
Natasha Visser's stepfather, Brian Chandler, said: "It is hard on Natasha who has to continue to worry about this again.
"Her priority is her daughter, Mia, working on her psychological recovery, as well as her own. It is very distressing for her to have this all dragged up again."
(JM)
John Hogan, 34, of Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire, was cleared of the murder of his six-year-old son Liam, by a Greek court in January.
He pushed his son and his two-year-old sister, Mia, off the fourth-floor balcony whilst on holiday in Crete two years ago, following a row with his then wife Natasha.
Liam died of head injuries, but Mia survived the 50ft plunge.
Mr Hogan was committed to a psychiatric unit in Greece for at least three years. However, during an inquest in March this year, a British coroner ruled the six-year-old boy had been unlawfully killed.
The verdict led to a police inquiry that could open up the possibility of a new murder trial in Britain.
Two High Court judges - Lord Justice Dyson and Mr Justice Griffith Williams - ruled Mr Hogan's case raised "serious points that are plainly arguable" and have given him permission to seek a judicial review.
The judge ruled: "In my judgment it is, to put it at its lowest, arguable that the coroner was wrong to regard Mr Hogan's 'mens rea' (whether or not he actually intended to commit a crime) as irrelevant (to his verdict)."
Mr Hogan's ex-wife, who has since remarried, is said to be "distressed" at the news of a review.
Natasha Visser's stepfather, Brian Chandler, said: "It is hard on Natasha who has to continue to worry about this again.
"Her priority is her daughter, Mia, working on her psychological recovery, as well as her own. It is very distressing for her to have this all dragged up again."
(JM)
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07 May 2009
Hogan Inquest Ruling Quashed
The High Court has ruled that there should be no fresh inquest into the death of a boy whose father pushed him from a Crete hotel balcony. An inquest verdict of unlawful killing in the case of John Hogan - who jumped with two-year-old daughter Mia and Liam, six - was today quashed.
Hogan Inquest Ruling Quashed
The High Court has ruled that there should be no fresh inquest into the death of a boy whose father pushed him from a Crete hotel balcony. An inquest verdict of unlawful killing in the case of John Hogan - who jumped with two-year-old daughter Mia and Liam, six - was today quashed.
21 January 2008
Tragic Balcony Fall Recalled In Cretan Court
The Bristol man accused of killing his own son in a tragic fall from a hotel balcony in Crete has denied the charge. John Hogan is accused of murdering Liam, six, by leaping 50ft (15m) with him and his sister from the fourth floor of a hotel in 2006. The 33-year-old's daughter Mia survived the fall.
Tragic Balcony Fall Recalled In Cretan Court
The Bristol man accused of killing his own son in a tragic fall from a hotel balcony in Crete has denied the charge. John Hogan is accused of murdering Liam, six, by leaping 50ft (15m) with him and his sister from the fourth floor of a hotel in 2006. The 33-year-old's daughter Mia survived the fall.
18 February 2008
Possible 'Release' For Hotel Plunge Dad
A man who killed his young son in a plunge from a hotel balcony while on holiday in Crete could return to Britain soon, according to reports.
Possible 'Release' For Hotel Plunge Dad
A man who killed his young son in a plunge from a hotel balcony while on holiday in Crete could return to Britain soon, according to reports.
22 August 2006
Inquest into boy's hotel fall death opens
An UK inquest into the death of a six-year-old boy who died after falling 50 feet from a hotel balcony with his father and sister has been opened and adjourned.
Inquest into boy's hotel fall death opens
An UK inquest into the death of a six-year-old boy who died after falling 50 feet from a hotel balcony with his father and sister has been opened and adjourned.
27 March 2008
Hotel Balcony Plunge Boy 'Unlawfully Killed'
A six-year-old boy who died in a fall from a hotel balcony in Crete was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled. Liam Hogan, from Bristol, died from severe head injuries after falling from the balcony of the room at the Petra Mare Hotel in Ierapetra in August 2006, along with his father, John, and two-year-old sister Mia.
Hotel Balcony Plunge Boy 'Unlawfully Killed'
A six-year-old boy who died in a fall from a hotel balcony in Crete was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled. Liam Hogan, from Bristol, died from severe head injuries after falling from the balcony of the room at the Petra Mare Hotel in Ierapetra in August 2006, along with his father, John, and two-year-old sister Mia.
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