Jock Palfreeman Appeal Back in Bulgarian Court Dec 22

Crime | November 25, 2010, Thursday // 13:23|  views

Jock Palfreeman, 23, is pictured here as he enters November 25 Sofia Appeals Court. Photo by BGNES

The appeal trial against Jock Palfreeman's 20-year jail sentence will return to a Bulgarian court on December 22, the fourth day of his appeal hearing.

The 23-year-old Australian man, sentenced for the murder of 20-year-old Bulgarian Andrey Monov, has pleaded not guilty. He insists he acted in self defence after going to the aid of two Roma, or gypsies, who he says were being beaten by the victim and more than a dozen friends.

Two more key witnesses' statements were re-examined on Thursday as part of the appeal trial, backing Palfreeman's claim about the attack on the Roma.

The two policemen who appear to have left the force, Krassimira Stoyadinova and Viktor Lyubenov, said it was colleagues of theirs and the people who gathered at the site of the crime, who told them about the incident. According to them a squabble erupted because of a Roma man or men, whom Palfreeman tried to protect.

One more witness, Alexander Donev, a friend of the victim who is understood to be studying in Germany, will have to be heard on December 22 before the court makes a final ruling.

Jock Palfreeman, 23, has been kept behind bars in a Bulgarian jail after being charged with murder after an alleged street brawl in the capital Sofia at the end of 2007.

According to Bulgarian prosecutors, who asked for life imprisonment for the defendant, Palfreeman was not provoked and did not act in self-defense, as he has claimed.

Palfreeman was also found guilty of attempted murder over the alleged stabbing of a 19-year-old man during the fight.

The Sydneysider has repeatedly denied both charges, saying he was trying to defend himself from being attacked by a group of men.

According to Jock's family, friends and supporters his verdict is a "hideous perversion of justice".

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Tags: witnesses, Viktor Lyubenov, Krassimira Stoyadinova, Monov, Alexander Donev, Tony Palfreeman, Simon, Palfreeman, family, Murder, Jock Palfreeman, appeal, Sydney, Sydneysider, Palfreeman, Sofia Appeals Court, Jock, Andrey

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