A Greek appeals court lowered a Kavala seaman’s life sentence for the murder and mutilation of his American fiancée to 23 years in jail on Tuesday.
George Skiadopoulos was convicted three (3) years ago in the death of 31-year-old former model Julie Scully of Mansfield, NJ on January 08, 1999. Scully’s body was discovered charred and beheaded.
Because of the reduced term, Skiadopoulos, 28, may be eligible for early release in as short as five (5) years.
Skiadopoulos claimed his acts were motivated by “jealous rage” because Scully intended to leave him.
Scully, a former legal secretary, was well-known in Trenton, NJ, as a “Page Six” pinup model for The Trentonian. Her image featured on billboards advertising the publication. She also conducted marketing for beer firms.
Skiadopoulos allegedly strangled Scully in a car in the northern town of Kavala. He then doused her with gasoline and set fire to her corpse. He claimed to have placed her remains in a suitcase after severing her head. Skiadopoulos then drove away, throwing the suitcase into a swamp. Her skull was purportedly discovered about three years later.
Skiadopoulos told the court on Tuesday, “I was in a haze when she said she would leave me.” I had planned my entire life around her. It was an intensely passionate moment.”
The judge acknowledged his remorse and emphasized his absence of prior convictions.
