NATIONAL NEWS - An incriminating video recording of murder accused Christopher Panayiotou has been ruled admissible – but it will not be viewed just yet as his lawyers now want the presiding judge to recuse himself. Stumped by Judge Dayalin Chetty’s decision to allow the sting video into evidence without giving immediate reasons for his ruling, Advocate Terry Price SC said he felt like he was litigating in the dark.
“I need to do what’s best for my client. If this goes the wrong way, my client could be sentenced to life in prison,” an emotional Price said.
He said he felt like Panayiotou’s right to a fair trial had been prejudiced.
The shock bid to have the judge removed from the case comes after Price’s application for a postponement was shot down by the court.
Price had asked the Port Elizabeth High Court for some time to consult with his seniors.
Chetty found the secret recording – in which Panayiotou, 30, chats to self-confessed middleman Luthando Siyoni shortly after the murder of Panayiotou’s wife Jayde – to be admissible following a lengthy trial-within-a-trial.
