New Testimony Emerges
Eirini Mourtzoukou has provided a detailed new account regarding the death of baby Panayiotakis, asserting that her initial statements were influenced by others. Another set of documents has now been filed in court, offering a different version of events. Further context is given as she recalls the morning of August 5 and the involvement of Popi and her friend Fotini.
The Morning Events
Mourtzoukou recounts that Fotini woke first that morning and appeared unusually eager to leave the house. Later, she explains that Fotini asked repeatedly to be taken to the bus station well before her scheduled departure time. After driving Fotini to the station, she returned home to find baby Panayiotakis awake with Popi.
Feeding Attempts and Escalating Tension
She remembers Popi preparing milk for the child shortly after he woke. Another attempt to feed him followed when the first effort failed, prompting Popi to try both cream and yogurt. Irritation grew as the child refused to eat, leading Popi to express frustration toward him.
Statements About Responsibility
Mourtzoukou adds that Popi had frequently mentioned feeling overwhelmed by her responsibilities in recent weeks. Comments Popi allegedly made about wanting independence raised further concerns. Household chores were next on their list around midday, with Mourtzoukou moving to clean the bathroom while Popi stayed with the child.
The Moment of Crisis
She says Popi soon called out in distress, urging her to return quickly because the child was unwell. Another moment unfolded as she rushed out of the bathroom and saw Popi leaning over the stroller. Immediate resuscitation attempts followed as she lifted the unresponsive child into her arms.
Conflicting Versions
Mourtzoukou claims she believed the child was still alive at that point because he felt warm. Another alarming detail was the child vomiting a reddish fluid. Her account notes she had been absent from the room for only 5 to 10 minutes and therefore could not see what occurred during that time.
Alleged Manipulation
She asserts that Popi later described the sequence of events inaccurately. Pressure from Popi allegedly intensified just before speaking to police. Instructions she says she received from Popi and Fotini included specific claims she was told to repeat. Their reported goal was to avoid mentioning that the child deteriorated while in Popis care to prevent custody problems concerning Popis other child.
Revised Testimony and Legal Commentary
Mourtzoukou explains that she followed these directions because she did not want Popi to face trouble with her former partner. One more clarification she makes is that her earlier statements were not her own words but what she was told to say. Her lawyer, Nikos Alexandris, argues that newly submitted evidence including a USB drive supports her account. His position is that Mourtzoukou has no involvement in the childs death.
