The lawsuit against the masthead and A Current Affair for defamation was filed by Tziotzis, who was accused of stealing clothing and jewellery from Helen Moraitis, whose body was exhumed in November 2022 due to concerns that her remains might not be inside the coffin. Tziotzis denies the allegations and claims that the media reports have damaged his reputation, leaving him feeling humiliated and like a criminal. He admitted in the trial that he did not see Helen’s body until weeks after her death, but maintained that decomposition cannot be managed and keeping bodies in a refrigerated room does not slow it down.
During cross-examination, Tziotzis admitted to changing documents after they were returned to him by police, 18 months after Helen’s death, before they were put into evidence. He claimed that this was done to seek clarity from his contracted embalmer and not to mislead the court. Tziotzis also denied knowing that a bag given to him by Helen’s mother contained jewellery, and he maintains that he never looked inside the bag of clothing. Police photographs showed the bag with the words “ring etc” written on it by Tziotzis, which was later found in a drawer at the funeral parlour during police raids.
The trial revealed that Tziotzis felt the need to put something on the outside of the bag given to him by Helen’s mother, and he explained that it was not done with any malicious intent. The court was shown evidence related to the handling of Helen’s personal belongings and documentation by Tziotzis, highlighting the key points of contention in the case. Tziotzis’ barrister requested time to provide his client with legal advice, leading to the trial being stood down for the day. This is the first week of the trial, which is expected to run for six weeks, as Tziotzis fights to clear his name and address the allegations made against him by the media.
Throughout the trial, Tziotzis defended his actions and decisions regarding the handling of Helen Moraitis’ body and personal belongings, maintaining that he did not steal or deliberately retain any items. He argued that decomposition cannot be controlled and that keeping bodies in a refrigerated room does not prevent it. Tziotzis acknowledged discrepancies in the timeline of when he viewed Helen’s body but insisted that it was not done to mislead anyone. The court proceedings highlighted the challenges of managing a funeral parlour business and the importance of maintaining transparency and integrity in dealings with clients and their loved ones.
The trial raised questions about the practices and protocols followed by funeral parlours in handling deceased individuals and their personal effects. Tziotzis’ testimony shed light on the complexities and responsibilities involved in managing a funeral business and ensuring the dignity and respect of the deceased and their families. The case also underscored the impact of media reporting on individuals’ reputations and the legal recourse available to those who feel they have been wronged. As the trial unfolds, Tziotzis continues to defend himself against the defamation claims, seeking to clear his name and restore his reputation in the face of damaging accusations.
