Greek Court Convicts Man in 2009 Jean Hanlon Murder, Jails Him 10 Years
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 3
Greek Court Convicts Man in 2009 Jean Hanlon Murder, Jails Him 10 Years
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 3
Summary
A 54-year-old Greek man was convicted of murdering Jean Hanlon in Crete and sentenced to 10 years after a four-day trial, though he will remain free until his appeal is heard.
Jurors and judges accepted prosecutors' case that the suspect stalked Hanlon after she ended a brief 2009 relationship and killed her the night she disappeared, despite no physical evidence placing them together.
Forensic pathologist Elena Krantoni told the court Hanlon died from a brain-stem tear caused by a forceful blow to the back of the neck, with injuries inconsistent with an accidental fall.
The court recognized diminished responsibility because of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; testimony said he could become aggressive without medication and prosecutors argued he was not taking it during the relationship.
Hanlon's family had fought the original accidental-death ruling for years, and a 2023 private-investigator report naming a suspect helped push Greek authorities to reopen the case.