A case has started where the prosecution is appealing the decision and punishment given to a man who was released from jail for murdering his very sick wife.
David Hunter, who is 76 years old, was blamed for killing his wife Janice at their house in Cyprus in 2021. However, he was found guilty of manslaughter instead of murder, and as a result, he was let out of prison.
Mr Hunter, who lives in Ashington, Northumberland, might be accused of planning to commit murder again.
The appeal hearing might be held in April or May.
Mr Hunter, from Ashington, Northumberland, said during his trial that he smothered his 74-year-old wife because she pleaded with him to do so. She was experiencing a unique type of blood cancer.
Three judges agreed with the defense’s argument that he had acted on an impulse because he loved his wife.
He was in jail for 19 months before being convicted of manslaughter, but he was not found guilty of premeditated murder.
The prosecution went to the Court of Appeal in Nicosia on Tuesday to challenge Mr. Hunter’s not guilty verdict for murder and his punishment for manslaughter.
Michael Polak, who is the director of Justice Abroad and representing Mr. Hunter, stated that the court has instructed the prosecution to submit their arguments within two months. The defense will then have two months to respond to these arguments.
Mr Polak said that after being in prison for over 19 months and going through a trial, David Hunter was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. This led to his release from custody. At that moment, they believed that the legal process was finished for him.
“He said it can be really stressful for anyone, especially someone like David, to constantly worry about going back to prison for the rest of their life. ”
Mr Polak said that he was not happy with the decision to continue pursuing David, but his team would keep supporting him and keep fighting for him.
Date:
David Hunter: Appeal against manslaughter ruling in Cyprus commences
