Nicosia, Cyprus. Cross-examination of a former nursery schoolteacher continued on Friday in the Nicosia district court trial surrounding the suicide of 14-year-old Stylianos Constantinou, with defence lawyers repeatedly challenging the basis of her evidence. The hearing focused on her testimony about Stylianos’ behaviour and allegations of domestic violence.
Testimony challenged in court
The teacher, who taught Stylianos during the 2009 to 2010 school year, was questioned by defence lawyer Constantinos Kazantzis, who represents the boy’s father. He challenged her account regarding alleged incidents within the family and her assessment of the child’s behaviour.
The witness accepted that she had no firsthand knowledge of alleged incidents in the family home and said much of what she knew came from colleagues or information passed on to the school.
When asked about reports that Stylianos had witnessed threats at home, she told the court, “Stylianos himself had not told me that he was present. My colleagues had simply told me that he was present at incidents of threats.”
Questioned about alleged complaints made to police, she said repeatedly, “I can’t know exactly what happened. I’m only relaying what I was told.”
Behavioural assessment disputed
The defence also challenged her evidence that Stylianos displayed behavioural problems beyond an attention deficit disorder.
The teacher said there was “a noticeable difference between a lively child and a child who presents additional difficulties” and added that she believed he was emotionally overwhelmed and unable to express what he was experiencing.
When the defence replied that “we’re not here to express such opinions,” the witness responded, “I stand by my position.”
Knife incident examined
Lawyers also questioned her account of an incident in which Stylianos brought a knife to school.
The defence argued that her description was inconsistent because she had continued supervising other pupils before removing the knife.
