Latest news with #custodydispute
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
UC Berkeley Professor's Ex-Wife Convinced Lover to Kill Him: Lover's Alleged Confession
NEED TO KNOW Przemyslaw Jeziorski was slain in broad daylight in Greece earlier this month His ex-wife is among five arrested in connection with the killing The beloved father was reportedly locked in a custody dispute with his ex-wife over their two childrenA man arrested in connection with the killing of a beloved California professor allegedly told Greek police he was acting on the orders of his girlfriend, who is the professor's ex-wife. Przemyslaw Jeziorski, 43, a business and marketing professor at University of California, Berkeley, was gunned down in Agia Paraskevi, a suburb of the Greek capital of Athens, on July 4, police previously said. Jeziorski was in the city for a custody hearing and to visit his children, who were in custody of his ex-wife at the time, ABC 7 and Greek outlet Ta Nea reported. Days later, Greek authorities arrested the woman, her boyfriend and three others in connection with the crime, ABC News and local outlets To Vima and ERT (Greek: EPT) reported. Per Greek provisions, the names of the defendants have not been publicly released by authorities. The woman's boyfriend allegedly confessed to the crime, telling police he was acting on her orders, per officials' accounts cited by CNN, Dimokratia and ERT. The man allegedly said he carried out the killing because they were worried Jeziorski would take the children away, CNN reported. "I made the decision to end this torment we were experiencing once and for all,' he allegedly said. On the day of the killing, he was driven by the three other accomplices to the location where he lay in wait for Jeziorski, per the alleged confession. 'I approached him and shot him a few times, but I don't remember how many times,' the man allegedly said. One of the five people arrested is a minor, per CNN. All but the professor's ex-wife have allegedly confessed to their link to crime, while she maintains her innocence, the outlet reported. In the months leading up to the slaying, Jeziorski had reportedly filed a restraining order against his ex-wife, according to court documents obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, ABC News and SF Gate. In the filing, Jeziorski alleged that the woman's boyfriend had physically assaulted him on two occasions when dropping off or picking up the children, per all three outlets. Jeziorski alleged in the document that his ex-wife would specifically have her boyfriend pick up or drop off the children following Jeziorski's visitation in a bid to intimidate him, the Chronicle is being remembered by his loved ones — both in the United States and his native Poland for his dedication to his work and his children. Zsolt Katona, a fellow professor and colleague at UC Berkeley, told PEOPLE in a statement following the murder: 'If there is any consolation in these moments, it's knowing the lasting impact that he left on so many people's lives." His family has set up an online fundraiser to assist with costs related to transporting his body to Poland. Read the original article on People
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
UC Berkeley professor killed in Athens: Suspect claims he ‘did it all for' victim's ex-wife, leaked police confession reveals
Greek police lead the ex-wife of murdered UC Berkeley professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski to court in Athens on July 17, alongside her new boyfriend and three others alleged to be involved in the Polish educator's shooting on July 4. CNN has added blur to this image. (CNN Greece via CNN Newsource) On the morning of July 4, an American marketing professor was walking towards his ex-wife's house in Athens to pick up their two young children. It should have been an unremarkable, if strained visit – the couple had apparently been disputing the terms of custody arrangements. But Przemyslaw Jeziorski never made it to the front door. In broad daylight, in this typically quiet, suburban neighbourhood of Greece's capital, he was shot multiple times at close range, according to police. Jeziorski died where he fell, police said, his body riddled with gunshot wounds seen in grim photographs taken in the immediate aftermath. As eyewitnesses rushed to his aid, the masked gunman fled. The alleged perpetrator, arrested 12 days later: His ex-wife's new partner. The motive, he told police: to prevent Jeziorski from taking away her children. 'I did it all for (her) and our children so that we could have a normal life without problems,' he said, according to a transcript of a statement he made to police in the aftermath of his arrest for premeditated murder as well as illegal possession and use of a weapon. One of the most remarkable aspects of the case is that the statements made to police by the alleged perpetrators have been widely leaked to Greek media, including a CNN affiliate, CNN Greece. The statements, verified as authentic by a senior police source speaking to CNN, offer an insight into how the alleged murder plot was put together, why it was undertaken, and provide clues as to who may have known what, and when. But there are key questions unresolved, too – not least the role, if any, of Jeziorski's ex-wife. According to Greek police, she is facing moral accomplice charges, which she denies, according to her lawyer, who spoke to CNN. Like all the suspects in this case, her identity is known to CNN but cannot be published due to Greek legal restrictions. The alleged perpetrator's confession, and other conflicting accounts from three alleged accomplices that were also leaked to the press, sets up what is likely to be a lengthy and high-profile trial. Meanwhile, the killing and the aftermath have shocked the friends and family of the victim, who say Jeziorski was a kind and introverted academic who loved his children. Jeziorski, 43, who went by the nickname Przemek or 'PJ,' was an economist and tenured professor of marketing at the University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He was born in Poland and moved to the United States in 2004 to study economics and math at the University of Arizona, and he went on to obtain his PhD from Stanford. 'He was one of the sharpest people I've ever met,' said Robert Kowalski, the victim's friend from Stanford. 'He was a great guy, a genius in many regards.' UC Berkeley said in a statement that Jeziorski 'had a passion for teaching' and during his 13 years at the California university, he taught data analytics skills to more than 1,500 graduate and PhD students. His research work centered on emerging markets, which took him around the world for field research, and Berkeley described him as 'a leading expert in quantitative marketing, industrial organization, and the economics of digital markets.' The dean of UC Berkeley's business school, Jenny Chatman, said she was 'heartbroken' by the death of Jeziorski, who she described as a 'beloved member of our marketing faculty.' Custody battle Jeziorski met his ex-wife – a Greek national – in San Francisco in 2013, and they got married the following year, according to Kowalski. The couple's twins were born shortly after. In 2015, the couple co-founded a start-up called Keybee, a short-term rental property management platform. It's unclear what led to their relationship falling apart, but Kowalski told CNN the couple broke up around 2020 after moving to Greece during the Covid pandemic. Their children are dual US and Polish citizens, according to a statement from the victim's brother. The children had applied for Greek citizenship and were awaiting a decision on that, according to the ex-wife's lawyer. Jeziorski filed for divorce in June 2021, according to California court records. It appears to be one element in a years-long custody battle for the children, who ultimately lived with their mother in Greece, with a provision that their father, Jeziorski, could take the children for one month every summer. According to Kowalski, Jeziorski asked during the custody battle that his children attend an American school in Greece, so that they could be able to attend high school or college in the US one day. But his ex-wife was afraid of losing the kids much sooner, according to the statement to police from the principal suspect, her boyfriend. 'We were afraid that he (Jeziorski) would end up taking the kids completely. That would completely finish off (my girlfriend), who was overly fond of them. This summer Przemek wanted to take the children and take them to America. But (my girlfriend) did not agree and so she went back to court with Przemek,' the suspect said, according to the testimony transcript. On July 3, a custody judgement ruled that Jeziorski was indeed allowed to take the children for a month. Conflicting confessions 'A month and a half ago I made the decision to end this torment we were experiencing once and for all,' the suspect told police, adding that it was a 'good opportunity' given that Jeziorski was in Athens to attend the custody hearing. The statement details how the suspect says he bought a pistol more than a month ago and asked a friend, who is from Bulgaria, to help him 'find Przemek and scare him so that he wouldn't take our children away from us.' He said it all began in Nafplio, a coastal city about two hours from Athens, 'so that it would appear that I was there' and his cell phone would 'leave traces.' The suspect said that that he, his friend and two others – a man and a teenager from Albania – he paid drove to Athens and waited on the same street as the ex-wife's house, where the suspect said he knew Jeziorski was coming that afternoon to pick up the kids. 'I approached him and shot him a few times, but I don't remember how many times,' he said. According to the statement, the men had rented a gray Porsche Cayenne as a getaway car, but the murder suspect told police that his accomplices left him at the scene after they saw him shoot the victim. Police said Jeziorski died at the scene, where seven bullet casings were found after a masked gunman shot him in the neck and chest. The three unnamed men who allegedly helped, two Albanian nationals and a Bulgarian national, are facing accomplice charges, police announced Thursday. The suspected accomplices – one of whom is a minor – have confessed to their peripheral involvement in the killing, a Greek police source told CNN on Thursday. CNN has been unable to reach attorneys for those men. 'My client has confessed his actions but as you can see from the simplicity of some of the things that took place this was not an organized plan. His accomplices only knew about a plan to scare him (the victim) so he would stay away from the children,' the main suspect's lawyer, Ermis Papoutsis, told CNN. '(The ex-wife), his partner, knew nothing about any of this.' 'My client had come to me in the past to seek advice. He had said his partner's ex-husband had serious alcoholism issues and that he and the mother were worried about allowing access to the kids. He wanted to see if there was something he could legally do about limiting access,' the lawyer added. 'Now he is completely devastated after what happened. We will ask for a psychiatric examination because he has had some issues in the past.' Jeziorski's friends have denied the allegations that he abused alcohol. On Friday, CNN Greece obtained the police testimony of the alleged accomplice from Bulgaria, which contradicts the account of the alleged gunman. In this account, the alleged accomplice claims the victim's ex-wife had 'organized the whole thing.' He described his friend, the perpetrator, obtaining a gun and then asking 'me to find some people to take him to Athens the next day to scare and threaten the Pole so that he would 'back down' on custody of the children.' 'In fact, from what he told me, (the ex-wife) made him do it because she didn't want to give the children to the Pole,' the accomplice said in the testimony,' adding that the perpetrator offered him thousands of euros after he 'did something we hadn't agreed on.' As for the ex-wife – beyond the statement of her lawyer, denying all knowledge, there is no further information about her testimony. 'We continue to maintain her innocence. Based on the case file and what we will present both in our written submission and during the oral proceedings in the main inquiry, we will highlight the key points that prove she had absolutely no involvement,' the ex-wife's lawyer, Alexandros Pasiatas, said outside the court Monday. 'She is innocent, she declares her innocence, just as she did at the start.' For reasons that are unclear, nothing from her statements to police have made their way to the Greek media. These inconsistencies – and other unanswered questions – will all be dealt with at the trial. 'Our family is heartbroken' Meanwhile, the victim's family are dealing with the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy. The victim's brother said in a statement that 'our family is heartbroken,' but grateful to Greek police and security professionals who made the arrests. 'Przemek's ten-year-old children, who are US and Polish citizens, are now under care in accordance with Greek child custody procedures,' the victim's brother Łukasz Jeziorski said in a statement. 'Our primary concern is their safety and wellbeing, and helping them reconnect with their family to minimize the trauma they have already endured.' Jeziorski's family started an online fundraiser to repatriate his remains to his native Poland and pay for legal representation in Greece. A US State Department spokesperson told CNN the agency is providing consular assistance to the family. On Monday, the five suspects were appearing in person in court for their plea, according to Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, the lawyer representing the victim's family. The court will determine whether the suspects will be remanded in custody pending the trial. A trial date will be set at a later stage, Dimitrakopoulos told CNN. 'The victim's mother and brother will take sole custody of the children,' Dimitrakopoulos told Greek media on Friday. The lawyer said that 'we've talked to the prosecutor for minors so that the victim's mom and brother can get full custody of the kids and live with them in Poland, where they are now.' 'They have the opportunity to raise them in a loving environment, in a completely protective environment,' Dimitrakopoulos said, adding that 'if the mother is acquitted, because we respect the presumption of innocence, then she has the right to request sole custody of her children.' CNN's Amy Croffey and Chris Dos Santos contributed to this report. By Lauren Kent and Elinda Labropoulou, CNN
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Greek authorities charge 5 in killing of UC Berkeley professor, including ex-wife, reports say
The ex-wife of a University of California, Berkeley professor who was gunned down during a visit to Greece earlier this month is among five people who have been charged in his killing, reports say. Przemyslaw "Przemek" Jeziorski, 43, an associate professor at the Haas School of Business, was fatally shot in a suburb of Athens on July 4. Reports from Greece and Poland, where Jeziorski is from, said he was near his ex-wife's home when a masked gunman shot him at least five times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, the 43-year-old woman and four suspected accomplices appeared before a prosecutor Thursday morning. The woman, an economist who owns a real estate management company, is accused of ordering the killing. Her current partner, a 35-year-old man, is believed to have shot Jeziorski. Three other men, only identified as two Albanian nationals and a man from Bulgaria, are also accused in the case. The newspaper reported that the ex-wife has denied involvement, while police said they have allegedly obtained confessions from the other suspects. Jeziorski had two children with his ex-wife, who returned to Greece after their divorce six years ago. According to her attorney, the former couple were in the midst of a child custody dispute. CBS News Bay Area has not been able to independently confirm these reports. Jeziorski had taught at the university since 2012 and previously studied at the Warsaw School of Economics, the University of Arizona, the University of Chicago and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Outside of his work at the university, Jeziorski co-founded the startup Keybee, a service that helps manage short-term rentals. "He had a passion for teaching, and during his 13 years at Berkeley Haas he taught data analytics skills to more than 1,500 MBA and PhD students," the business school said in a statement about his passing. Miguel Villas-Boas, one of Jeziorski's colleagues, said, "Przemek was one of the most-if not the most-knowledgeable experts on empirical analysis in marketing in the world, so this is a tremendous loss to the field and to Haas. He added, "He was generous with his time, extremely caring about the Haas community, courageous to tackle important problems, full of grace and gentleness, and a loving father."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
California professor shot dead in Greece in apparent plot involving ex-wife
A 43-year-old college professor at the University of California, Berkeley was shot and killed on the outskirts of Athens, Greece earlier this month in what appears to be a targeted hit involving his ex-wife, according to multiple media reports. A tenured professor of marketing at Berkeley's Haas School for 13 years, Przemyslaw Jeziorski was shot five times on July 4 as he was walking to his ex-wife's home in Athen's Agia Paraskevi District to visit his two children, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was declared dead at the scene. On Wednesday, Greece Hellenic Police announced the arrest of Jeziorski's ex-wife, Nadia Michelidaki who is a Greek national, and three additional suspects, including one man described as her new companion. According to police, the former couple were embroiled in a challenging custody dispute regarding their children. The three other suspects were described only as a Bulgarian man and two Albanian nationals. Investigators said two of the suspects gave Michelidaki's companion a handgun and drove him to the neighborhood where he shot and killed Professor Jeziorski, The Times reported. Arrest made in deadly shooting of 'American Idol' executive, her husband in Encino Professor Zsolt Katona helped recruit the 43-year-old Polish native to teach at Berkeley's Haas School in 2012. 'It's hard to come to terms with this senseless tragedy,' he said in a statement issued by the university. 'He was an amazing person, friend, and colleague. He was a loving father of two young children and always there if someone needed help. He had great influence on the marketing field not only through his research but through his energetic presence and optimism combined with a healthy dose of skepticism.' Jeziorski is survived by his two children, a brother and his parents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Globe and Mail
20-06-2025
- Globe and Mail
Manhattan Child Custody Lawyer Richard Roman Shum Explains What Can Be Used Against a Parent in a Custody Battle
Navigating a custody dispute requires clarity, preparation, and an understanding of what courts consider when determining the best arrangement for a child. Manhattan child custody lawyer Richard Roman Shum ( sheds light on these legal challenges in his recent article, 'What Can Be Used Against You in a Custody Battle?' This insightful breakdown helps parents understand what factors may negatively influence a judge's custody decision in New York. Richard Roman Shum, a Manhattan child custody lawyer at the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq., explains that New York courts assess custody based on the child's best interests. No preference is given to either parent based on gender. Every decision made by the court reflects a comprehensive evaluation of the parent's ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. As Shum outlines, actions and behaviors that may seem minor in daily life—like missing visits, sending inappropriate messages, or failing to comply with court orders—can become pivotal in custody proceedings. One of the key areas that courts examine, as noted by Manhattan child custody lawyer Richard Roman Shum, is any history of abuse. This includes physical, emotional, or psychological harm. 'A consistent pattern of physical aggression, such as hitting, choking, or inflicting bodily harm, indicates a potentially dangerous environment, and courts will act to protect the child from future risk,' he states. Even if the abuse does not happen in the child's presence, it can still impact custody decisions. Harassment, intimidation, or controlling behaviors are also taken seriously, especially when they create an unstable home. Substance abuse is another significant factor in custody cases. Shum explains that courts consider not only whether a parent has a history of drug or alcohol misuse, but also the steps taken to address the issue. Voluntarily participating in treatment programs, maintaining long-term sobriety, and agreeing to supervised visitation or drug testing are all positive indicators of parental responsibility. On the other hand, denial, concealment of substance use, or refusal to comply with monitoring measures can undermine a parent's position. Mental and emotional health plays a similarly critical role in the court's analysis. According to Richard Roman Shum, courts do not automatically penalize parents for having a mental health diagnosis. What matters is whether the condition affects their ability to parent. For instance, untreated symptoms that result in unpredictable or disruptive behavior may be viewed as compromising to a child's welfare. However, consistent treatment and medical compliance can demonstrate stability and reliability in caregiving. Criminal history is also scrutinized, with a focus on the nature, timing, and frequency of offenses. Violent crimes, domestic violence, and serious drug offenses carry the greatest risk to a parent's custody claim. Even non-violent offenses can raise questions about judgment and reliability, particularly if the criminal behavior is recent or recurrent. Courts also consider whether a parent has made genuine efforts toward rehabilitation. Neglect and lack of involvement are additional red flags in custody proceedings. Failing to meet a child's physical, educational, or emotional needs is often interpreted as a lack of parental commitment. Richard Roman Shum outlines examples such as returning children without proper care, missing school events, or ignoring court-mandated visitations. Such behaviors can paint a picture of disengagement, which judges take seriously when considering custody arrangements. Financial stability is another core component. While income alone doesn't determine custody, the ability to consistently provide housing, food, clothing, and medical care reflects on a parent's suitability. Irresponsible financial behavior, such as unpaid child support, heavy debt, or unstable housing, can weaken a parent's case, especially when the other parent demonstrates greater consistency and responsibility. The article also discusses how non-compliance with legal orders, including court-mandated visitations, support payments, or protective directives, can significantly damage a custody claim. Failing to honor these obligations shows a disregard for legal structure and may lead to reduced parenting time or even supervised visitation. To improve custody outcomes, Richard Roman Shum emphasizes the importance of proactive steps. These include following all court orders, being actively involved in the child's life, addressing personal issues like substance abuse or mental health conditions voluntarily, maintaining a stable home, and communicating respectfully with the other parent. Courts in New York place a premium on action and consistency. Demonstrating reliable parenting through day-to-day involvement, adherence to legal requirements, and a focus on the child's well-being is key. As Shum explains, 'New York courts value action over intention, and tangible proof of good parenting will always carry more weight than verbal promises alone.' Parents facing custody disputes in Manhattan can look to the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. for guidance through every stage of the process. With legal support tailored to each family's circumstances, the firm helps clients avoid missteps and present the strongest possible case for custody. Building a strong foundation of stability, responsibility, and legal compliance is essential for securing favorable outcomes in court. Parents seeking direction and legal support in a custody matter can begin by consulting with the Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. A clear legal strategy and documented record of responsible parenting provide the best path to a custody arrangement that supports the child's best interests. About Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. The Law Office of Richard Roman Shum, Esq. serves families in Manhattan with legal representation focused on family law. The firm is committed to helping parents navigate custody disputes by providing guidance rooted in New York family law and the best interests of the child. Embeds: Youtube Video: GMB: Email and website Email: richard@ Website:
