Psychiatric tests delay Turkey trial verdicts

Verdicts in the trial of a waiter and his father accused of murdering two women from Co Down in Turkey have been pushed back for more psychiatric tests.

Recep Cetin, 22, and his father Eyup Cetin, 43, were due to learn their fate yesterday — more than two years after the killings of Marion Graham and Cathy Dinsmore.

The bodies of the women, both 53, were found in woods on the outskirts of Izmir in west Turkey in 2011. Both had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Relatives of the victims, including Shannon Graham, the girlfriend of Recep Cetin at the time of the killings, attended. They were also joined by Ireland’s honorary consul-general, Bulent Akgerman.

Judges at Izmir Bayrakli Fifth High Criminal Court reviewed a mental health report ordered in May which concluded that Recep Cetin was sane and criminally responsible.

Recep said he agreed with the findings and was guilty of the crime — but his solicitor Altan Tunali rejected the report and called for a review.

The judges announced that a fresh report from the Forensic Medicine Institution would be consulted.

As the decision was announced, Recep turned to the family and said in English: “I am sorry. I am sorry.”

Earlier, Recep Cetin’s father, Eyup Cetin, again claimed his innocence and said he had “disowned” his son over the killings.

He apologised to the family, adding: “I didn’t do anything. I want this court to release me.”

The lawyer for the families of both victims said they were surprised the hearing had been adjourned as they had travelled a long way to hear the final verdict.

The next hearing will take place on Sept 9.