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| Hotel leap man cleared of murder | Hotel leap man cleared of murder |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A British man who leapt 50ft (15m) from a hotel balcony with his two children in Crete has been cleared of murder. | A British man who leapt 50ft (15m) from a hotel balcony with his two children in Crete has been cleared of murder. |
| John Hogan, 33, from Bradley Stoke, near Bristol, was "incapable" of murdering his son because of his mental state, a Greek court has ruled. | John Hogan, 33, from Bradley Stoke, near Bristol, was "incapable" of murdering his son because of his mental state, a Greek court has ruled. |
| He will now be placed in a psychiatric unit for a minimum of three years. | He will now be placed in a psychiatric unit for a minimum of three years. |
| Mr Hogan's son Liam, six, died from head injuries. His daughter Mia, then aged two, broke her arm but survived the fall, in August 2006. | Mr Hogan's son Liam, six, died from head injuries. His daughter Mia, then aged two, broke her arm but survived the fall, in August 2006. |
| Couple rowed | Couple rowed |
| President Paraskeri Kiraleou, the senior judge at the trial, said: "His responsibility was diminished. | President Paraskeri Kiraleou, the senior judge at the trial, said: "His responsibility was diminished. |
| "He was incapable of murdering his son and he needs to be in a psychiatric unit for therapy." | "He was incapable of murdering his son and he needs to be in a psychiatric unit for therapy." |
| Mr Hogan, his then wife Natasha, 35, and their children, had gone on holiday to the 227-bed four-star Petra Mare hotel, which overlooks the beach of Ierapetra, Crete | Mr Hogan, his then wife Natasha, 35, and their children, had gone on holiday to the 227-bed four-star Petra Mare hotel, which overlooks the beach of Ierapetra, Crete |
| I accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable Natasha Hogan | I accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable Natasha Hogan |
| The holiday was a "make or break" effort to resolve differences in the couple's marriage. | The holiday was a "make or break" effort to resolve differences in the couple's marriage. |
| However, the court in Crete, which comprised three judges and four jurors, was told the summer break had been plagued by rows. | |
| On the night of Liam's death, Mrs Hogan described her husband as "agitated" and had asked him to "calm down" but he had become increasingly angry. | On the night of Liam's death, Mrs Hogan described her husband as "agitated" and had asked him to "calm down" but he had become increasingly angry. |
| They argued as she packed their suitcases with her back turned to the balcony. When she turned around he had disappeared over the edge with their children. | They argued as she packed their suitcases with her back turned to the balcony. When she turned around he had disappeared over the edge with their children. |
| The court heard Mr Hogan's family had suffered several tragedies, including the suicides of his two brothers. | The court heard Mr Hogan's family had suffered several tragedies, including the suicides of his two brothers. |
| Mr Hogan was now taking anti-depressants and had tried to kill himself on four occasions while in prison. | Mr Hogan was now taking anti-depressants and had tried to kill himself on four occasions while in prison. |
| class="" href="/1/hi/england/bristol/7204409.stm">Hotel fall father's depression | |
| Tiling firm boss Mr Hogan, who was crying as the verdict was delivered, said nothing as he was led from court by two police officers. | Tiling firm boss Mr Hogan, who was crying as the verdict was delivered, said nothing as he was led from court by two police officers. |
| Mrs Hogan sobbed into her hands on hearing the verdict. | Mrs Hogan sobbed into her hands on hearing the verdict. |
| In a statement following the verdict, Mrs Hogan said: "This result albeit somewhat unexpected, has left me feeling that Liam lost his young life for nothing. | In a statement following the verdict, Mrs Hogan said: "This result albeit somewhat unexpected, has left me feeling that Liam lost his young life for nothing. |
| "I accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable. | "I accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable. |
| 'Rebuild our lives' | 'Rebuild our lives' |
| "I know that we all miss Liam, but it is Mia and I who are left to rebuild our lives without a loving caring son and brother." | "I know that we all miss Liam, but it is Mia and I who are left to rebuild our lives without a loving caring son and brother." |
| The statement also said that the family has found it difficult to hear the circumstances of Liam's death again. | The statement also said that the family has found it difficult to hear the circumstances of Liam's death again. |
| It added: "John is no longer my husband and plans are afoot to rebuild our lives away from the media support. | It added: "John is no longer my husband and plans are afoot to rebuild our lives away from the media support. |
| "You have all heard our lives laid bare during the court process. I ask now that you allow us time to reflect, to rebuild our lives with dignity showing due reverence to my son Liam." | "You have all heard our lives laid bare during the court process. I ask now that you allow us time to reflect, to rebuild our lives with dignity showing due reverence to my son Liam." |