A 33-year-old livestock farmer was found guilty by majority verdict of manslaughter with possible intent in the death of his brother-in-law, in the tragic incident that occurred during a celebration at the Katharo Plateau in Crete’s Lasithi region in July 2024. According to neakriti.gr, the defendant in the death of 36-year-old Giorgos Ntagiakos in this shocking case that stunned all of Crete received a total prison sentence of 15 years and 18 months from the Mixed Jury Court of Heraklion for all three charges, without suspension of execution pending appeal. The decision was reached by majority vote, with only one vote considering it negligent homicide. However, the majority ruling fully adopted the prosecutor’s proposal regarding guilt with possible intent.
Lasithi: How the life sentence was “broken”
Additionally, the court examined the issue of mitigating circumstances before announcing the sentence. The prosecutor had recommended that no mitigating factors be recognized, rejecting the defense’s arguments. However, the court recognized by majority vote the mitigating factor of good behavior after the act (Article 84 para. 2 e PC), which led to the “breaking” of the life sentence, according to the same source.
It should be noted that the mitigating factors not recognized concerned prior honest living, sincere repentance, or attempts to remedy and reduce the consequences of the act, which the defense had invoked.
Lasithi tragedy: 33-year-old shot 36-year-old relative at celebration
It is recalled that the tragic incident occurred on July 3, 2024, during a celebration for sheep shearing at the Katharo Plateau. The 33-year-old, in a state of intoxication, was firing aimlessly into the air when one of the bullets fatally struck his 36-year-old brother-in-law, father of a young child, causing his immediate death.
During the hearing procedure, defense attorneys argued that it was a tragic accident, emphasizing the close family ties that connected perpetrator and victim. The court, however, ruled that the defendant’s behavior, under the specific circumstances, constitutes manslaughter with possible intent.
The conviction verdict ended a case that deeply marked the local community of the Katharo Plateau, leaving behind a family plunged in mourning and an incident that continues to cause intense concern.
