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Balcony fall father denies murder Death fall trip 'make-or-break'
(20 minutes later)
A British man whose son died when the two of them fell from a hotel balcony on the island of Crete has pleaded not guilty to murder. A woman whose husband leapt from a hotel balcony in Crete with their two children has told a court the holiday was "make-or-break" for the couple.
John Hogan, 33, of Bristol, is accused of killing Liam, six, by leaping 50ft (15m) with him and his sister from the fourth floor of a hotel in 2006. John Hogan, of Bristol, is accused of killing Liam, six, by leaping 50ft (15m) with him and his sister from the fourth floor of a hotel in 2006.
Mia, who was two at the time, survived the fall but suffered a broken arm. The 33-year-old's daughter Mia survived the fall. He denies murder.
Mr Hogan told a court in Crete: "I do not accept the charge that I planned to kill my children." Mr Hogan's ex-wife Natasha told the court in Crete the holiday had been plagued by rows.
He appeared in court in the town of Chania on Monday charged with murder and attempted suicide. Mrs Hogan said the couple "dearly loved" their children but their marriage was breaking down.
Mia is much better now and has made a full recovery Natasha Hogan The hearing, involving a panel of three judges and a jury, is likely to last several days. She said that at one point Mr Hogan confronted her about his fear that she was thinking of leaving him when he had tried to kiss her.
The prosecutor, Mrs Papanikolopoulou, began by describing the events of 15 August, 2006. "When I moved away, he said, 'You are thinking, aren't you?'
"He took the children and fell from the balcony 12m," she said. "I said, 'Yes I am'."
Mrs Hogan has given evidence for the prosecution
She added: "When we discussed our problems, he just said 'I am not talking about this now'."
On the day of the incident Mrs Hogan said her husband had become increasingly angry and agitated.
According to the BBC's Chris Mason, who is in court, Mrs Hogan told the court the couple had been packing to go home early and she had had her back to him.
When she turned around Mr Hogan had gone, she said.
The prosecutor, Mrs Papanikolopoulou, began on Monday by describing the events of 15 August, 2006.
"He [Mr Hogan] took the children and fell from the balcony 12m," she said.
"This led to the death of his son and light injuries to his daughter. He also sustained injuries."This led to the death of his son and light injuries to his daughter. He also sustained injuries.
"He is charged with murder and attempted suicide.""He is charged with murder and attempted suicide."
Mrs Hogan, for the prosecution, told the court how the couple "dearly loved their children" but their marriage was breaking down. Couple divorced
Couple arguing
According to the BBC's Chris Mason, who is in court, Mrs Hogan broke down as she described how the couple had been arguing and were packing their backs ready to go home early.
She told the court she had had her back to him and when she turned around Mr Hogan had gone.
In a statement read out by a police officer outside court, Mrs Hogan said the past few months had been "trying".In a statement read out by a police officer outside court, Mrs Hogan said the past few months had been "trying".
"I am able to say that Mia is much better now and has made a full recovery from the injuries sustained that day," she said."I am able to say that Mia is much better now and has made a full recovery from the injuries sustained that day," she said.
"She is in regular contact with John's side of the family and enjoys a loving and caring relationship.""She is in regular contact with John's side of the family and enjoys a loving and caring relationship."
The Petra Mare hotel, in Lerapetra, where the fall happenedIn a television interview to be broadcast on ITV on Monday, Mrs Hogan said of her ex-husband: "I have to face him and it's going to be very hard but I'm also anxious about it because I don't know if I'm going to erupt with anger.
"I'm worried about it a lot. I'm scared about what I'm going to see in front of me, you know he once was a composed man who I loved and spent time with.
"He was my best friend, father of my children. I know he's going to be a different man and that scares me the most about the trial, actually seeing him."
Mr Hogan has been held in custody for 16 months.Mr Hogan has been held in custody for 16 months.
His lawyers had argued he was not mentally fit to stand trial after a series of suicide attempts and should be held in a psychiatric unit.His lawyers had argued he was not mentally fit to stand trial after a series of suicide attempts and should be held in a psychiatric unit.
But psychiatric reports in November found he was fit to stand trial.But psychiatric reports in November found he was fit to stand trial.
The Hogan's divorced last June.The Hogan's divorced last June.