Latest news with #QueenslandSupremeCourt
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'Drinks and gaming' before toolbox murders, jury hears
Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. 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. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. 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. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said. Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. 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. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. 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. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said. Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. 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. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. 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. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said. Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. 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. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. 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. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Toolbox murder accused planned only 'boot ride scare'
Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin. Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin. Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin. Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Toolbox murder accused planned only 'boot ride scare'
Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin.
9 News
4 days ago
- 9 News
Men accused of toolbox double murder plead not guilty
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Three men accused of murdering two people, who allegedly died in a toolbox dumped into a lagoon, have pleaded not guilty. 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. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court today. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of the lagoon weeks after it was allegedly thrown into the water while weighed down by concrete blocks and tyres. (Supplied) Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of the lagoon weeks after it was allegedly thrown into the water while weighed down by concrete blocks and tyres. The bodies were so decomposed doctors could only conclude the pair died either from asphyxiation before being put into the water, or from drowning in the water. The jury trial is scheduled to run for three weeks before Justice Glenn Martin. queensland Logan Australia national crime courts murder CONTACT US Auto news: Google Gemini AI assistant coming to new cars in 2025.
7NEWS
12-05-2025
- 7NEWS
$250k bail for son accused of staging wife's death as lawnmower accident in Queensland
An Air Force pilot accused of killing his wife and staging her death to look like a lawnmower accident is back at home after his family paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to secure his release. Robert Crawford, 47, was granted bail last week, with his conditions including a curfew and a $250,000 bond. He had spent almost seven months in custody before being granted bail in the Queensland Supreme Court. Crawford was arrested and charged with murder and interfering with a corpse on October 10, 2024. He maintains his innocence and is contesting the charges. His wife, Frances Elizabeth Crawford, was found dead near a ride-on lawnmower on a rural property in Upper Lockyer, about 1.5 hours drive west of Brisbane, in July 2024. Prosecutors accused Crawford of strangling his wife in a 'murderous rage' and then moving her body to make her death look like a late-night accident with the lawnmower. Judge Frances Williams granted bail, ruling that Robert Crawford's risk of fleeing was 'acceptable.' Suzanne Duffy, a close friend of Frances and organiser of the family's GoFundMe campaign, shared an update to the fundraiser, expressing their anger that Crawford was in the family home while the case remains in court. 'The grandfather of Frances' Crawford's children put up $250,000 for her alleged murderer's bail,' she wrote in an update. '$250,000 for his alleged murderous son, who tonight, is sleeping in their formerly shared home in the Upper Lockyer Valley, Queensland.' 'To say the family are angry is an understatement.' Crawford's murder charge is next due to be heard at Ipswich Magistrates Court on October 8 for committal proceedings. He has been suspended from the Royal Australian Air Force and banned from defence bases. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
