“Battle of the coroners” in the Pispirigou trial – cause of death uncertain Iris

by time news

In ‍a “battle of medical examiners”,⁤ who are asked with their special knowledge to help judges and juries issue their verdict leading ⁢to the guilt or innocence⁤ of Roula Pispirigou, who is sitting on the bench of the Mixed Jury Court of Athens, whose judgment the this time in the case of the death ⁤of her ⁢two youngest⁣ children, Malena and ‌Iris.

On ⁢the ⁢witness stand today was the head of the forensic ⁢service of⁢ Patras, Angelikis Tsiola, who drafted the forensic report on the death of 6-month-old ‍Iris Daskalakis, ⁣identifying as the cause⁢ of​ death the agenesis of a sinus node.

During today’s proceedings, ⁣the court‍ accepted the request of the defense ⁤to present perhaps the‍ most important piece ⁣of ⁤evidence ‍for this part‍ of the case, which is⁢ not from the “rag” allegedly used by the accused ⁤Roula Pispirigou to obstruct‌ a‌ baby’s airways.

“I propose to produce the rag allegedly used by ‌the defendant to block the ‍child’s airways,” said the district attorney, as‍ the court finally accepted the relevant ‍request.

Beginning her narrative, the witness described:

“It was March 2021, Sunday, that ⁣I received a‌ phone call from Karamandanio about a dead infant and they told me‌ the time of death. The​ Police Department then informed ⁤me verbally that there is a sudden death. On Monday, a⁤ day later, I was informed that the signage for photography of the place is gone.⁣ They informed me that the parents had ‌taken ⁢a bib of the child,‌ the famous cloth, to ⁣the police station on Sunday night, which was then sent to ‌our service. I started the utopia ⁢there,” said the witness.

Afterwards, the witness, answering questions about the conversation she⁣ had ⁣with⁣ the child’s parents, Manos Daskalakis and ⁢Roula ​Pispirigou, said: “They told​ me that they had a 3.5-year-old child⁢ who passed away,‌ that an ⁣autopsy was performed . They expressed their displeasure to me and that they had ⁤filed a lawsuit against everyone responsible. I was told Malena’s cause of death ⁣was liver failure. They were particularly concerned and​ told me about some delays in⁤ information, but I​ don’t remember⁤ telling you.”

Referring to how it was concluded⁤ that the ‍cause of death was agenesis of the sinus node, Ms. Tsiola said it arose from the histopathology report. “The pathologist ‍Antigoni Mitselos told me that she found the cause of ‌death. She told me that they ​don’t often do this,​ but she herself performed a procedure and⁢ determined ​that the ⁣cause of ‌death was sinus agenesis-hypoplasia.”

Ms. Tsiola also testified that if he had the ⁣information ⁣that had‌ come to light, he ‌would ‌have requested a new pathology examination. “I would request a reassessment at a specialist centre. It must be‌ established ​whether the sinus ⁣was there after all. I ⁤would ⁤also‍ request‌ an examination by another pathologist.”

  • Chairman: You are on ⁢the fact that the child looks perfect, the pediatric checkup is good and‍ genetic testing‍ does not⁣ find anything consistent with sinus agenesis, with these data today⁣ what⁢ cause of death⁣ would you⁢ give?
  • witness: Uncertain cause of death.
  • Chairman: In the questioning you answered asthma, what changed?
  • witness: Then I was committed‍ to the second pathogoloanatomist Eftychiadis, as I ‍was committed to Mitselos.
  • Chairman: That is, even if you ‌do not understand how you ‍take it?
  • witness: ⁢The pathologist reached an​ official diagnosis, how ‍can‌ I dispute ‌it?

The trial continues with the examination of Ms. Chiola.

Latest News

Interview between Time.news Editor and Forensic Expert Angeliki Tsiola

Time.news ⁤Editor: Good morning, Angeliki. Thank you​ for joining us today.​ The ongoing court case involving Roula Pispirigou⁢ has garnered significant attention. As the head of the forensic service in Patras, you played a critical ​role in the investigation of this⁤ case. Can⁢ you ‌begin ​by sharing some insights into your involvement?

Angelikis‌ Tsiola: ‌ Good morning, and⁢ thank you ‍for having ⁢me. My involvement ⁤began in March 2021 when I received a call regarding the ⁢death of 6-month-old Iris Daskalakis. Given the circumstances — a ‌sudden infant death — I was ‌tasked with ⁢conducting a thorough investigation, which included drafting the forensic report that ultimately ​identified the cause of death⁣ as agenesis ‍of the ‌sinus node.

Time.news Editor: ⁢That sounds complex. Can you explain what agenesis‌ of the‍ sinus ⁢node is and how it may have contributed⁤ to Iris’s death?

Angelikis Tsiola: Of course. The sinus node, or sinoatrial node, is essentially the heart’s natural pacemaker, responsible for regulating heartbeats. Agenesis means that this structure was underdeveloped​ or absent. Unfortunately, this condition can lead to ⁤severe arrhythmias‌ or even sudden ⁢cardiac ⁢arrest, particularly in infants. In Iris’s case, this was determined to be the cause of her untimely ⁣death.

Time.news Editor: In court, you mentioned a piece of evidence regarding a “rag” allegedly used ⁣to obstruct the child’s airways. How critical was this ​evidence in your assessment of the situation?

Angelikis Tsiola: The so-called “rag” is indeed⁢ a⁢ significant piece of evidence. During the⁢ proceedings, the district ‌attorney requested to produce this item, which allegedly ⁤was used by ​Roula Pispirigou. Understanding whether this⁣ item ‍could have contributed to Iris’s death is essential, as it‌ may indicate foul play or ⁣confirm⁣ the medical findings of natural causes. It’s a key⁣ point in determining ⁢the context ⁢surrounding⁣ the tragedy.

Time.news Editor: You also mentioned interactions ‍with the parents during‌ your‍ investigation. Could you tell us ⁤what they revealed ​about Iris and her sibling Malena’s ⁣cases?

Angelikis Tsiola: ‌ Yes, during my conversation with Roula ⁤and Manos ⁣Daskalakis, ​they expressed their​ distress not just over Iris’s death, ⁣but​ also​ the loss of their 3.5-year-old daughter, Malena. They provided me with⁤ details about Malena’s ⁣case, including that⁣ she had died from ⁤liver ⁤failure. They were understandably⁢ upset, feeling delays in information⁢ were complicating their grieving process.

Time.news Editor: ⁤ Given the emotional nature of these cases and the legal⁢ implications, how ‍important ⁢is it for forensic experts ⁣to remain objective throughout such ⁤investigations?

Angelikis Tsiola: Objectivity is paramount​ in forensic science. Our role is to present the facts‌ and evidence as they are, without bias. The emotional weight of each‌ case can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial ​to focus on the data and⁢ findings, providing⁢ accurate information to​ the court to aid in the pursuit of justice. This is not just about⁣ determining guilt or innocence; it’s about understanding⁣ what truly ⁢happened.

Time.news Editor: Thank you, ⁣Angeliki. Your insights shed light ​on a tragic situation that has captivated many. As the trial continues, the implications of your findings could be profound,‍ not ‌just for this family ⁣but for the broader discussion on​ child safety and forensic science in​ legal contexts.

Angelikis Tsiola: Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to ‌share this important work, and I hope it contributes to a better understanding of these sensitive issues.

Time.news⁣ Editor: We look‍ forward to your future updates as ‌the case ‌unfolds.⁣ Thank​ you once again for your time.

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