A Greek Australian man has been charged with murdering his boyfriend in the basement car park of a Rushcutters Bay apartment on Wednesday afternoon, reports 9 News.
Phillip Papaefthymiou appeared in Central Local Court on Thursday to face murder charges for the death of his 39-year-old partner Christopher Roy Stanmore, who was found unresponsive before dying later at St Vincent’s Hospital. Mr Papaefthymiou was also taken to the hospital before being charged with murder.
NSW Police say that the men came to blows at 1.50pm on Wednesday in the basement of the building where they had been couch surfing for the past few weeks. The two men had been on the verge of homelessness before they had been taken in by a friend.
Mr Papaefthymiou had a large black bruise on his left eye during his court appearance via video link from Surrey Hills Police Station on Thursday, and the court heard that the police were set to apply to take a blood sample for forensic testing.
Defence Barrister Paul Bodisco did not apply for bail but said his client would plead not guilty and would seek his release when he fronts court again on 20 May.
