Christos Panagakos who was accused of the shooting death of Ivona Jovanovic had manslaughter charges dropped
The lawyer for a Gold Coast man previously accused of the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend says he can now grieve after the case was dropped. Read why the charge was dropped.
Police & Courts
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A Gold Coast man previously accused of the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend has had manslaughter charges against him dropped.
Christos Panagakos had been accused of the shooting death of Ivona Jovanovic in his Highland Park home on September 8, 2019.
Panagakos had always maintained his innocence.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed they would not be proceeding with an indictment in the case.
“The ODPP can confirm that an indictment will not be presented against Christos Panagakos in relation to the death of Ivona Jovanovic,” a spokesman said.
“After a careful consideration of the admissible evidence presented at the committal proceeding, it was determined that the Crown did not have a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction for that offence.”
Defence lawyer Michael Gatenby on Friday gave a short statement on Mr Panagakos’ behalf.
“Christos is pleased that the DPP have accepted our position that there was no reasonable prospects of success,” he said.
“He was in a long-term relationship with the deceased and hopes to be able to grieve for her loss now that the serious allegations have been discontinued.”
Ms Jovanovic died after being shot in the stomach.
The Southport Magistrates Court was told at a committal hearing last year that Panagakos tripped while holding a gun.
Mr Gatenby told a committal hearing in August: “I don’t accept the proposition that if a man walks with a loaded gun and it discharges that you must be found guilty.”
He also told the committal hearing a properly instructed jury would not be able to convict Mr Panagakos.
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