Slain woman Ivona Jovanovic’s sister rages on social media after manslaughter accused fined for bail breach

The sister of Ivona Jovanovic has taken a swipe at the justice system after the young woman’s alleged killer was released from custody, despite breaching bail.

Christos Panagakos is charged with manslaughter.

The sister of Ivona Jovanovic has taken a swipe at the justice system after the young woman’s alleged killer was released from custody despite breaching bail.

In an expletive-ridden social media post, an irate Annette Jovanovic expressed her disappointment after manslaughter accused Christos Panagakos walked free with a fine for the breach of his bail conditions.

Panagakos is on bail charged with the manslaughter of Ivona Jovanovic at his mother’s Highland Park home.

Ms Jovanovic was fatally shot in the stomach on September 8, 2019. Panagakos was charged after a 16-month investigation.

The Bulletin last week revealed Panagakos was fined for breaching his bail conditions by failing a drug test, before being found with a hunting knife at the police station.

Annette Jovanovic, in a social media post, questioned whether they were “taking the p*** out of my family”.

Ivona Jovanovic's sister Annette Jovanovic leaves Roma Street Magistrates after Panagakos was charged with her manslaughter. Thursday January 28, 2021. Picture: John Gass

“The justice system is a joke,” she wrote.

Last week, Panagakos pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to breaching bail and possessing a knife in a public place.

The court was told he failed to report on December 24 as he was running late.

Three days later he failed a drug test and admitted to consuming speed the night before.

When detained Panagakos was found with a hunting knife, used to skin animals, which he told police his friend gave to him because “he liked it and he thought it was cool”.

His lawyer told the court that Panagakos was at a friend’s place hunting that day and rushed back to the police station, where he had it in his bag.

Magistrate Gary Finger noted he had an appalling history of breaching bail.

“You’re treading a fine line as to whether police will ask that bail be revoked if you keep coming back here,” he said.

But it was not Panagakos’ first warning.

In July, Panagakos was also fined for breaching his bail curfew condition by walking down the street to talk to his alleged bikie mates about his broken down car.

“If you don’t follow bail there is only one other option and you remain in custody,” the Magistrate said at the time.