A Greek pilot accused of killing his British wife Caroline Crouch while she slept at their home in Athens has exercised “extreme control” over her, the court heard.
On the third day of the nationwide assassination trial, Eleni Milonopoulou, an adviser who had seen the couple for several months for couples counseling, testified that the young Briton had fallen victim to an “extremely manipulative” man.
Babis Anagnostopoulos, 34, who admitted to strangling 20-year-old Crouch in the presence of their daughter on May 11 last year, was well aware of his actions, she told judges and jurors.
“The defendant’s behavior towards Caroline was extremely manipulative, extremely controlling,” the councilor said, describing a marriage that was becoming increasingly abusive. “Very often Caroline didn’t understand herself – she would be locked in the house for days alone.”
Milonopoulou, whose lengthy testimony dominated the dramatic day of the trial, told the court she was clear that Crouch was desperate to leave Anagnostopoulos, whom she met as a teenager on Alonissos, the island where she grew up.
“Ever since the first session, the 20-year-old had confided that she wanted to take the child and leave,” she said, explaining that Crouch had complained that he was often left without any means to even shop.
“Her mother would send her money and he would take it – she didn’t even have five euros. He wanted to go to confectionery school, but he had no money to attend. She could not move. Everything had to happen to a taxi driver, a friend of the accused … when a person is as manipulative as the accused, he wants to know where the other person is at all times. ”
Caroline Crouch. Photo: Rex / Shutterstock
The councilor said she had seen the couple a dozen times before receiving written notice from Anagnostopoulos, abruptly ending the sessions.
For nearly six weeks, the helicopter pilot had been trying to accuse the murder of unsuccessful burglary by “foreign” thieves. In a rare move, Greek authorities have announced a reward of 300,000 euros for information that could lead to the attackers. When that finally happened, his confession shocked the nation. Crouch was among 17 women in Greece last year killed by their partners.
Defendant, who also admitted to killing Caroline’s seven-month-old puppy in an attempt to make his alleged burglary look more realistic, has been charged with premeditated murder, animal cruelty and lying to police – allegations that could mean life in prison.
14 prosecution witnesses are expected to testify.
Since the beginning of the trial, Anagnostopoulos, who claims to have committed the crime in a “blurred state of mind”, has personally questioned several witnesses as part of a strategy to prove that the murder was not planned. If he succeeds in convincing the court, his sentence may be reduced.
In a cross-examination of the councilor – as allowed by Greek law – he tried on Thursday to overturn the allegation he had manipulated and controlled.
Milonopoulou, who was forced to verbally confront the man she once advised, told the court that she was so convinced that Anagnostopoulos had committed the crime when news of the murder surfaced that she had called her lawyer to say this.
The distribution, she said, was the death of Caroline’s dog, Roxy. “Caroline adored this dog. Killing him first was symbolic. And Caroline was asleep. He killed her in her sleep. He held her in his arms. Life was east of her in his hands, “she said, describing the British man’s death as controlling in itself.
He could feel it [her dying] and he killed her. He also shows violent behavior towards the child, placing him next to her mother’s dead body … the baby has a special relationship with his mother, which he abuses by placing her next to his mother’s lifeless body. ”
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