The Criminal Court in Nicosia on Tuesday sentenced Marios Melanitis to 15 year in prison for the murder of his father.
Melanitis, 34, stabbed his 59-year-old father 28 times as he slept on January 18. The attack at the family’s Menico farm followed an argument between the two men.
Melanitis turned himself in to the police after the attack.
Seeking mitigation earlier in the trial, Melanitis defence noted he had been using alcohol and marijuana before the attack, suggesting these had acted as a catalyst.
The court also heard that Melanitis blamed his father for their family’s problems.
These began when his older brother was imprisoned which, Melanitis’ lawyers said, led the father to turn to alcohol and begin abusing his wife and Melanitis.
His mother also became an alcoholic, the court heard, leaving Melanitis witness to his parents’ vicious fights.

Cyprus Weekly