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Greed and lies caught up with killer Greed and lies caught up with killer
(31 minutes later)
By Chris Summers BBC NewsBy Chris Summers BBC News
A property developer has been jailed for life for organising the murder of a tenant who got in the way of a £2m deal.A property developer has been jailed for life for organising the murder of a tenant who got in the way of a £2m deal.
Papalexis, pictured on a throne in his office in FloridaPapalexis, pictured on a throne in his office in Florida
Handsome, charming and the son of a wealthy London-based Greek shipping magnate, Thanos Papalexis had everything going for him.Handsome, charming and the son of a wealthy London-based Greek shipping magnate, Thanos Papalexis had everything going for him.
But his personality - flawed by greed, impatience, lust and indiscretion - landed him in the dock at London's Old Bailey.But his personality - flawed by greed, impatience, lust and indiscretion - landed him in the dock at London's Old Bailey.
In March 2000, Charalambos Christodoulides was tortured and then strangled in a deserted warehouse in Kensal Rise, north west London.In March 2000, Charalambos Christodoulides was tortured and then strangled in a deserted warehouse in Kensal Rise, north west London.
The 55-year-old, known as Charles, was a recluse who had lived in a flat above the warehouse for many years.The 55-year-old, known as Charles, was a recluse who had lived in a flat above the warehouse for many years.
Property dealProperty deal
At the time of the murder Papalexis had been trying to force through a £2m deal to buy the warehouse and then sell it on for a quick profit.At the time of the murder Papalexis had been trying to force through a £2m deal to buy the warehouse and then sell it on for a quick profit.
He hoped the money would prop up another property development in Holloway, north London, which had gone over budget and threatened to destroy his company.He hoped the money would prop up another property development in Holloway, north London, which had gone over budget and threatened to destroy his company.
But Mr Christodoulides, an unemployed loner and a creature of habit, was reluctant to move out and Papalexis, panicked by the financial consequences of the deal not going through, moved to get rid of him.But Mr Christodoulides, an unemployed loner and a creature of habit, was reluctant to move out and Papalexis, panicked by the financial consequences of the deal not going through, moved to get rid of him.
I have regaled her with stories which would make a screenwriter envious Thanos Papalexis Property tycoon jailed for lifeI have regaled her with stories which would make a screenwriter envious Thanos Papalexis Property tycoon jailed for life
Prosecutors claimed Papalexis hired two men to kill Mr Christodoulides.Prosecutors claimed Papalexis hired two men to kill Mr Christodoulides.
But at the trial the men claimed Papalexis killed Mr Christodoulides and forced them, at gunpoint, to hide his body in a vehicle pit in the basement of the warehouse.But at the trial the men claimed Papalexis killed Mr Christodoulides and forced them, at gunpoint, to hide his body in a vehicle pit in the basement of the warehouse.
The jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict on murder charges against them and they face a re-trial in the new year.The jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict on murder charges against them and they face a re-trial in the new year.
Detectives believe Mr Christodoulides may have died after being tortured.Detectives believe Mr Christodoulides may have died after being tortured.
Sentencing Papalexis to a minimum of 20 years in jail, Judge Jeremy Roberts said he was a "totally amoral person" who had treated Mr Christodoulides as someone who was "expendable".Sentencing Papalexis to a minimum of 20 years in jail, Judge Jeremy Roberts said he was a "totally amoral person" who had treated Mr Christodoulides as someone who was "expendable".
Ironically the Kensal Rise deal later collapsed, despite the removal of the sitting tenant "problem", and after his company folded, Papalexis moved to Florida.Ironically the Kensal Rise deal later collapsed, despite the removal of the sitting tenant "problem", and after his company folded, Papalexis moved to Florida.
New life in FloridaNew life in Florida
He married his girlfriend, Karina, had a child and started a new life as a property developer and businessman.He married his girlfriend, Karina, had a child and started a new life as a property developer and businessman.
One of his scams was setting up "fractional membership clubs" on the internet which allowed people to have access to a luxury lifestyle of hotels, villas, speedboats and private jets.One of his scams was setting up "fractional membership clubs" on the internet which allowed people to have access to a luxury lifestyle of hotels, villas, speedboats and private jets.
The building Thanos Papalexis wanted to buy and developThe building Thanos Papalexis wanted to buy and develop
Jose Lambiet, a gossip columnist on the Palm Beach Post newspaper, told the BBC: "It was a sham; it was all smoke and mirrors. It's a brilliant idea but had to be done honestly and Papalexis didn't know how.Jose Lambiet, a gossip columnist on the Palm Beach Post newspaper, told the BBC: "It was a sham; it was all smoke and mirrors. It's a brilliant idea but had to be done honestly and Papalexis didn't know how.
"He was a pathological liar. He wasn't even supposed to be working in Florida. He would renew his visa every couple of months but he had no right to work.""He was a pathological liar. He wasn't even supposed to be working in Florida. He would renew his visa every couple of months but he had no right to work."
He claimed Papalexis threatened to have him killed after he wrote a couple of articles about him.He claimed Papalexis threatened to have him killed after he wrote a couple of articles about him.
But Papalexis charmed other people and publicly exuded wealth and chutzpah.But Papalexis charmed other people and publicly exuded wealth and chutzpah.
In January 2008, he hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign at a mansion in Manalapan, Florida, which was attended by Bill Clinton.In January 2008, he hosted a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign at a mansion in Manalapan, Florida, which was attended by Bill Clinton.
But back in London detectives had not been idle. They had spent years amassing evidence against him. In the summer of 2008, they sought his extradition.But back in London detectives had not been idle. They had spent years amassing evidence against him. In the summer of 2008, they sought his extradition.
'Sexual predator''Sexual predator'
Papalexis, who was described in court as a "sexual predator", was arrested in a pizza restaurant while dining with his mistress Marie-Helene Jarry, who later died after turning to drink when she discovered the truth about her lover.Papalexis, who was described in court as a "sexual predator", was arrested in a pizza restaurant while dining with his mistress Marie-Helene Jarry, who later died after turning to drink when she discovered the truth about her lover.
Charalambos Christodoulides was tortured before his deathCharalambos Christodoulides was tortured before his death
Another former girlfriend, Rebecca DeFalco, was Googling his name when she discovered he was suspected of a murder.Another former girlfriend, Rebecca DeFalco, was Googling his name when she discovered he was suspected of a murder.
DeFalco, went to the police and told them about a conversation she had with him in June 2004, during their brief but "turbo-charged" affair.DeFalco, went to the police and told them about a conversation she had with him in June 2004, during their brief but "turbo-charged" affair.
Papalexis had told her a string of lies, telling her he was an agent of the CIA and MI6 and would be retiring after one last mission in Iraq.Papalexis had told her a string of lies, telling her he was an agent of the CIA and MI6 and would be retiring after one last mission in Iraq.
'James Bond' figure'James Bond' figure
She recalled asking him if he had ever killed a man, during his "James Bond" work for the secret services.She recalled asking him if he had ever killed a man, during his "James Bond" work for the secret services.
DeFalco told the court: "I didn't expect an answer. He turned around and there was a very long pause.DeFalco told the court: "I didn't expect an answer. He turned around and there was a very long pause.
"He walks up towards me, pulls up a chair and sits in front of me and reaches for my hands. He looks me in the eye. He says 'yes, yes I have'.""He walks up towards me, pulls up a chair and sits in front of me and reaches for my hands. He looks me in the eye. He says 'yes, yes I have'."
His defence counsel, Michael Borrelli QC, sought to portray the 41-year-old as a deluded, attention-seeking liar who was seeking to cash in on Papalexis's predicament.His defence counsel, Michael Borrelli QC, sought to portray the 41-year-old as a deluded, attention-seeking liar who was seeking to cash in on Papalexis's predicament.
I'm not interested in selling my story to the press. I'm so offended Rebecca DeFalcoI'm not interested in selling my story to the press. I'm so offended Rebecca DeFalco
When Papalexis gave evidence he was polite and articulate but came across as smarmy, deceitful and dishonest.When Papalexis gave evidence he was polite and articulate but came across as smarmy, deceitful and dishonest.
He claimed his wife had agreed to him having sex with prostitutes as long as he kept it "discreet".He claimed his wife had agreed to him having sex with prostitutes as long as he kept it "discreet".
Admitted lyingAdmitted lying
Papalexis also admitted fooling DeFalco and lying to her about loving her.Papalexis also admitted fooling DeFalco and lying to her about loving her.
He said: "I wanted her to feel loved and to feel that I was a super-spy and that we would have great sex and great fun together."He said: "I wanted her to feel loved and to feel that I was a super-spy and that we would have great sex and great fun together."
A luxury apartment block now stands on the scene of the crimeA luxury apartment block now stands on the scene of the crime
He said: "I have regaled her with stories which would make a screenwriter envious. But I have never mentioned anything to do with this murder.He said: "I have regaled her with stories which would make a screenwriter envious. But I have never mentioned anything to do with this murder.
"She thought I was a spy. I had told her many episodes about missions, explosions, car chases, gun battles in the desert, stories that you would see in a movie."She thought I was a spy. I had told her many episodes about missions, explosions, car chases, gun battles in the desert, stories that you would see in a movie.
"But nothing to do with the murder of a 55-year-old gentleman in a warehouse in London.""But nothing to do with the murder of a 55-year-old gentleman in a warehouse in London."
He also admitted lying to her about a set of rosary beads he had given her.He also admitted lying to her about a set of rosary beads he had given her.
He claimed they had been taken from the hands of his mother after her body was exhumed.He claimed they had been taken from the hands of his mother after her body was exhumed.
In a family impact statement, the victim's sister Annina Lanitis said of Papalexis: "I truly believe he is like a devil for what he has done."In a family impact statement, the victim's sister Annina Lanitis said of Papalexis: "I truly believe he is like a devil for what he has done."
"Regardless of the length of sentence given to Papalexis, it will never justify how a multi-millionaire playboy then put the value of money over and above the life of my innocent and harmless brother," she said."Regardless of the length of sentence given to Papalexis, it will never justify how a multi-millionaire playboy then put the value of money over and above the life of my innocent and harmless brother," she said.
"Without being vindictive, I wish him as much pain and suffering as I have suffered and will continue to suffer throughout my life.""Without being vindictive, I wish him as much pain and suffering as I have suffered and will continue to suffer throughout my life."
Chris.Summers-INTERNET@bbc.co.ukChris.Summers-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk