‘Not capable of continuing’: Juror discharged in trial of accused murderer Lachlan Young

A juror has been discharged from the trial of accused murderer Lachlan Young after a judge decided she was “not capable of continuing” in her duty.

Hannah McGuire was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Lachlan Young in April 2024. Picture: Supplied

A juror has been discharged from the trial of Lachlan Young, who is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend Hannah McGuire in Ballarat.

On Thursday morning, Justice James Elliott told the Supreme Court jury that the woman was “not capable of continuing as a juror in this trial” and excused her from duty.

He did not elaborate on the reasons for her discharge.

A juror has been discharged from the trial of Lachlan Young, sketched. Picture: Anita Lester

Thirteen jurors now remain, with one to be balloted off at the end of the five-week trial, which is being held in Ballarat, if all remain until its conclusion.

Justice Elliott also told jurors the trial would not sit on Thursday due to an unspecified issue that arose overnight.

Proceedings are scheduled to resume on Friday morning.

Young, 23, has admitted to killing Ms McGuire, also 23, and staging her death to look like a suicide by torching her vehicle with her body inside in remote bushland in Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat, in April last year.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder, claiming his former partner’s death was unplanned and spontaneous.

Hannah McGuire's parents Debbie and Glenn McGuire outside court. Picture: Ian Wilson

Now in its second week, the trial has heard from more than a dozen witnesses including Ms McGuire’s parents, friends, and colleagues and police and forensic experts.

Prosecutors allege Ms McGuire was in a “controlling and turbulent relationship” with Young and a recent break-up and the impending financial strain, including the loss of their home, acted as a “catalyst” for him to murder her.

On Wednesday, Young’s barrister Glenn Casement for the first time put forward a defence explanation for Ms McGuire’s death.

Lachlan Young has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not murder. Picture: Instagram

During a heated cross-examination of Young’s former workmate Benjamin O’Keefe, he suggested Young had accidentally killed Ms McGuire by forcefully throwing her to the ground during a fight, causing her to hit her head and lose consciousness.

He also alleged that Young enlisted Mr O’Keefe to help cover up the death, a claim his former colleague denied.

The trial will continue on Friday.

Originally published as ‘Not capable of continuing’: Juror discharged in trial of accused murderer Lachlan Young