A British woman accused of hurling her 22-year-old boyfriend 100 feet to his death from a hotel balcony has been released from custody by a court in Turkey.
Pegram Reece, 22, was allegedly killed by Mary Meyers Kayley in Antalya, Turkey, in a fit of jealousy on 12th March 2021.
But defence lawyers won her conditional release from jail after pointing out flaws in the prosecution’s case.
The British pair from England had been on holiday at a five-star hotel in the popular tourist destination of Side neighbourhood, near the city of Manavgat, when Reece fell from the balcony of their hotel and died.
The authorities quickly determined that the couple had allegedly been arguing in their hotel room shortly before the incident, according to local media.
Kayley was arrested for “deliberate killing”. An autopsy conducted on Reece’s body reportedly found cocaine in his system.
The Manavgat Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated in its indictment of the suspect that she and the young man had argued, with Kayley throwing his clothes off the balcony of their hotel room under the influence of alcohol before allegedly throwing him off and causing his death.
The prosecutors demanded a life sentence for “deliberate killing”.
Kayley, who testified at the second hearing in her case, reportedly said: “I am taking drugs. I think I have a psychological disorder. I have a report from England; it is written that I have psychological problems. I demand that I be released.”
Her lawyer also argued that the autopsy report shows that Reece had alcohol, cocaine and antidepressants in his blood and that the use of these three substances together can make people suicidal.
They also said: “It is not possible for my client to lift the deceased person, who is so much heavier than herself, and throw him over the balcony railing.”
Stating that there was no report from the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute on whether the incident had been caused by a throw or a fall, the lawyer requested the release of the woman.
The court ruled that Kayley should be released under judicial control, under the condition that she does not leave the Manavgat district.
The hearing was adjourned while the prosecution attempts to correct the deficiencies in the case.