Father cleared of murder after suicide act with his two childrenin Greece.
A father who threw his six-year-old son to his death from a hotel balcony in Greece has been cleared of murder.
John Hogan, 33, from Bristol, hurled son Liam from the fourth floor then jumped himself with his two-year-old daughter Mia in a suicidal act described as “selfish love” by his ex-wife Natasha.
Liam died of head injuries but Hogan and Mia survived with broken limbs in the incident during their holiday on the island of Crete.
A court on the island cleared him of murder and ruled he should be placed in a psychiatric unit.
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.”
Hogan said nothing as he was led from court by two police officers.
As he left the building, he shot a quick glance at his mother Josephine who looked tearful.
Hogan’s ex-wife Natasha condemned the verdict, saying that her son had “lost his young life for nothing”.
Hogan’s lawyer Dimitris Xiritakis told reporters: “It is the right verdict. John Hogan is very happy with the verdict.”
Hogan will continue to receive treatment in Greece while the British and Greek authorities dicuss his long-term care
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