PORT ELIZABETH - PANAYIOTOU BAIL APPLICATION POSTPONED AGAIN

The bail application for murder accused Christopher Panayiotou has been postponed again in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court.

Panayiotou's defence asked for the postponement to give them time to counter the argument presented by the state.

The case will be back on the roll on Friday.

This is the second bail attempt by the defence, which believes Panayiotou should get bail based on new evidence but the state argues that there is no new evidence.

The state says the new application is a futile attempt by the defence to get Panayiotou out of custody prior to his trial in the high court in October.

It disputed evidence that state witness Luthando Siyoni was assaulted by police and denied allegations that its evidence was tainted and false as claimed by Panayiotou's legal team.

The defence is adamant that Siyoni was assaulted and pressurised into testifying against their client.

The state's case is said to rely heavily on Siyoni's evidence.

If found he was pressurised - the evidence would not be admissible.

Panayiotou's defence also questioned the relevance of a letter written by Jayde Panayiotou prior to her death where she questioned her husband's commitment to her.

Both families were in court.

VIA - sabc.co.za