Three teens found guilty of boy’s death through negligence during drinking binge

Three of the four teenagers accused of causing the death through negligence of 16-year-old Panayiotis Stefani in April 2019 were found guilty on Wednesday by Larnaca district court.

Three of the four defendants – a 20-year-old from Oroklini, a 19-year-old from Larnaca and a 19-year-old from Livadia were found guilty, while the fourth, another 20-year-old from Oroklini was acquitted.

The four defendants faced charges of causing death by negligence after they urged Stefani to consume large amounts of alcohol during a house party in Troulli, Larnaca, which led to alcohol poisoning and his eventual death.

Police investigators had secured videos recorded during the party that allegedly showed him being bullied and pressured by peers to consume large quantities of alcohol very quickly.

This caused Stefani to vomit and later aspire some of the vomit, which eventually caused his death. Toxicology test results found that his blood contained 340mg of alcohol.

The trial was held behind closed doors in the presence of Stefani’s parents and those of the defendants.

The court will permit the three defendants’ lawyers to appeal for reduced sentences for their clients next Wednesday, November 3.