Toolbox murder accused blame each other
Two men accused of murdering two people by drowning them in a toolbox have blamed each other, an acquaintance or a witness for the killings at their trial's end.
Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016.
The bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were found in the toolbox at the bottom of Scrubby Creek two weeks after they were allegedly murdered.
The defendants' barristers began giving their closing addresses to the jury on Monday after a two-week trial in Queensland's Supreme Court.
Taiao's defence barrister Lars Falcongreen told the jury it could not convict his client of murder on the basis of any claim he was at the death scene because that was not alleged by the prosecution.
"It is possible (Thrupp's defence barrister) might attempt to throw my client under the bus. She may ask you to accept that Taiao ... was at the lagoon and was responsible for sinking the toolbox," Mr Falcongreen said.
He told the jury witness Lelan Harrington testified he heard another man tell Taiao "I f***ed up and put them in Scrubby Creek", suggesting his client had no prior knowledge of the killings.
"(The other man) considered that killing them was 'f***ing up'," Mr Falcongreen said.
"This is from the star prosecution witness, upon whom the case rises and falls."
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death.
Mr Falcongreen said the pair were "treated abysmally" at the apartment but only in a plan to scare them as part of a drug dispute.
He told the jury the prosecution had spoken extensively about how Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial earlier in June.
Thrupp's defence barrister Jessica Goldie told the jury Mr Harrington could have been a passenger in a Toyota HiLux utility moving the toolbox containing Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru to Scrubby Creek.
"The prosecution have said to you that (Mr Harrington's) hands are clean. You might find they are filthy," she said.
"He crafted a version of events with a goal of protecting himself. He has not served a single day in jail."
Ms Goldie said Mr Harrington's claim Thrupp confessed to him he shot Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the head before placing them in the toolbox to sink was a "complete fabrication" and was contradicted by forensic evidence.
The jury previously heard Mr Harrington deny he was involved in the murders.
Ms Goldie said phone records suggested Taiao could also have been at Scrubby Creek.
Daniels' defence barrister, John Fraser, is due to give his closing address on Tuesday.
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Otago Daily Times
21 hours ago
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Toolbox murder accused blame each other
Two men accused of murdering two people by drowning them in a toolbox have blamed each other, an acquaintance or a witness for the killings at their trial's end. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016. The bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were found in the toolbox at the bottom of Scrubby Creek two weeks after they were allegedly murdered. The defendants' barristers began giving their closing addresses to the jury on Monday after a two-week trial in Queensland's Supreme Court. Taiao's defence barrister Lars Falcongreen told the jury it could not convict his client of murder on the basis of any claim he was at the death scene because that was not alleged by the prosecution. "It is possible (Thrupp's defence barrister) might attempt to throw my client under the bus. She may ask you to accept that Taiao ... was at the lagoon and was responsible for sinking the toolbox," Mr Falcongreen said. He told the jury witness Lelan Harrington testified he heard another man tell Taiao "I f***ed up and put them in Scrubby Creek", suggesting his client had no prior knowledge of the killings. "(The other man) considered that killing them was 'f***ing up'," Mr Falcongreen said. "This is from the star prosecution witness, upon whom the case rises and falls." Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death. Mr Falcongreen said the pair were "treated abysmally" at the apartment but only in a plan to scare them as part of a drug dispute. He told the jury the prosecution had spoken extensively about how Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial earlier in June. Thrupp's defence barrister Jessica Goldie told the jury Mr Harrington could have been a passenger in a Toyota HiLux utility moving the toolbox containing Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru to Scrubby Creek. "The prosecution have said to you that (Mr Harrington's) hands are clean. You might find they are filthy," she said. "He crafted a version of events with a goal of protecting himself. He has not served a single day in jail." Ms Goldie said Mr Harrington's claim Thrupp confessed to him he shot Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the head before placing them in the toolbox to sink was a "complete fabrication" and was contradicted by forensic evidence. The jury previously heard Mr Harrington deny he was involved in the murders. Ms Goldie said phone records suggested Taiao could also have been at Scrubby Creek. Daniels' defence barrister, John Fraser, is due to give his closing address on Tuesday.
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