Twist in MacGill kidnapping trial
The group of men — Frederick Schaaf, Richard Schaaf, Elijah Schaaf, Marino Sotiropoulos, Son Minh Nguyen and Vaeluagaomatagi Feilo — were due to face a trial in the NSW District Court at Parramatta starting on Monday.
The trial dates were vacated last week due to a delay.
The court heard on Monday that the Director of Public Prosecutions had withdrawn charges against Elijah Schaaf.
He had pleaded not guilty to one count each of being an accessory after the fact to kidnapping and being an accessory before fact to take/detain in company with intention to get an advantage.
The other five men will now face trial which is anticipated to start either this week or next week, the court was told on Monday.
All have pleaded not guilty over their alleged roles in kidnapping Mr MacGill from outside his Cremorne home in April, 2021.
It is alleged MacGill was taken to a property at Bringelly, on Sydney's southwestern outskirts, where he was assaulted, threatened with a gun and demands were made for money.
It has been alleged the incident was related to a drug deal gone wrong, the court has previously heard.
MacGill was allegedly held for an hour before being driven to Belmore where he was released and allowed to get into a cab.
Mr Sotiropoulos on Monday also pleaded not guilty to three counts of drug supply.
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