Verdict in Recep Cetin murder trial due in Turkey

A verdict is expected today in the murder trial in Turkey of Recep Cetin (22), who has previously admitted killing two women from Co Down.

The trial of the Turkish waiter had been delayed again last month after a mental health examination meant for him was mistakenly carried out on his father.

Recep Cetin (22), who has admitted killing Marion Graham and Cathy Dinsmore (both 53), had claimed he was mentally ill at the previous hearing in May.

It is the prosecution's case that Cetin, then Ms Graham's daughter's boyfriend, killed the women when they confronted him about his relationship with Shannon Graham, then aged 15.

In July, chief judge Orhan Kiziltas said the mental health test had been accidentally applied to his father Eyup Cetin (43), accused of helping his son to carry out the killings.

The trial was then adjourned at Izmir Bayrakli Fifth High Criminal Court until late this month while the court awaited the results of the examination on the younger man.

During the trial, Recep Cetin had said the testimony of a “secret witness” had contradicted the testimony of police officers who investigated the incident.

Elsewhere, Eyup Cetin asked for his immediate release – claiming he was not guilty and had been “imprisoned for 18 months for nothing”.

His lawyer Aydogan Yolyapan said there was no solid evidence against his client and requested the court to investigate the people responsible for making him undergo a mental health examination when one had not been ordered or requested.

A pre-trial hearing had heard from Shannon Graham that Recep Cetin had “got on like a house on fire” with her mother.

The victims, from Newry, were stabbed to death and their bodies were found in woodland near Izmir, 60 miles (97km) north of their holiday apartment in Kusadasi, on August 19th, 2011.

Ms Dinsmore was stabbed 35 times and Ms Graham 17 times.