A friend round for a bbq the other night mentioned that she had heard that the Cube nightclub murder trial had finally happened recently. She wasn’t sure of the outcome of it, and when I googled for information, this cached news item below was all I came up with – it does say that the verdict was to be handed down last week so I was wondering if anyone knew what had happened with it?
Nightclub murder trial verdict due in fortnight
February 22, 2008 – 8:39AM
Source: ABC
A Canberra nightclub owner will have to wait two weeks to find out whether a judge has found him guilty of murder.
Maurizio Rao has been on trial for nearly three weeks.
He is accused of stabbing Nato Seuala twice during a brawl outside the Cube nightclub in July 2006.
Rao has admitted stabbing Mr Seuala in the stomach, but not the head.
The prosecution has argued Rao was the original aggressor and showed guilt in the weeks after the incident.
Yesterday, the defence counsel Peter Hastings told the ACT Supreme Court, there is scant evidence to support the Crown’s claim that Rao stabbed Mr Seuala in the head.
He said nobody saw the blow.
Mr Hastings told the court, his client acted in self-defence, as the deceased was the first to attack Rao.
Justice Malcolm Gray will hand down his judgment on March 6.
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FYI the outcome of this case – Rao found not guilty.
http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/acquittal-in-cube-club-stabbing/1202859.html
thanks papadoc, good to hear!
“I just finished reading “Joe Cinque’s Consolation” by Helen Garner, where a major player was also named Rao”
-No relation.
A bit off topic, I just finished reading “Joe Cinque’s Consolation” by Helen Garner, where a major player was also named Rao. It’s a top read for those who are interested in local murders/manslaughters etc. It won the Walkley Award in 2005 I believe.
I’m pretty close to this one, so I’ll fill you in. The verdict was meant to be handed down 2 weeks ago, but the judge reserved his decision for 2 weeks. Last Friday was meant to be the day, but the judge decided to reserve his decision for a further week or so. As far as I’m aware we’ll know by next Tuesday.
I understand Rao’s lawyers managed to get an adjournment on the 6th to make further submissions or something to that effect. No further listing date, so the judge may be taking his time in writing up his decision.
I could hand down the not-guilty verdict already.. self defence, no conclusive evidence etc. unless he’s the type of judge that would sit on the jury of morons in a case of a fella who runs down and kills 6 teenagers driving like a fool.
Just checked the ACT Supreme Court site under Judgments, and nothing there for 6 March. Maybe just keep an eye on the site, and WIN news might shed some light this week.