Family accused of Sefton Plaza attempted ‘honour’ killing of daughter divided on jury or judge-alone trial

A family who allegedly agreed to stab and kidnap their daughter have pleaded not guilty – in unison – but now can’t agree on a vital part of their trial.

A family that allegedly united to stab and kidnap their daughter because of her relationship with a Christian are divided on whether their “attempted honour killing” trial should have a jury.

On Monday, the six relatives – whose identities are suppressed – faced the Supreme Court for the first time.

Before Justice Kevin Nicholson’s associate could finish reading out the first charge against them, they answered “not guilty” in unison.

However, the court heard that coherence did not apply to the family’s opinions on their imminent attempted murder trial.

Counsel for the alleged victim’s father said their client wanted a jury to decide his case – but lawyers for each of his relatives said they wanted a trial by judge alone.

Unless the dispute is resolved, the father will get his way because, under South Australian law, all defendants in a case must face a jury if just one of them wants such a trial.

One of the co-accused charged with the attempted killing of a daughter and sister, outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Prosecutors allege the father, 57, mother, 56, brother, 31, sister, 29, and brother-in-law, 28, stabbed the woman outside, and kidnapped her from, the Sefton Plaza shopping centre in November 2021.

They further allege the family drained all but 17c from her bank account while she was hospitalised, and were caught discussing the incident on police bodycam.

The 31-year old is further charged with having threatened to kill his sister’s boyfriend, and jointly charged with his younger brother of a home invasion predating the stabbing.

They allegedly broke into a stranger’s house while armed with knuckledusters, at their mother’s orchestration, erroneously believing their sister was present.

A woman charged with attempted murder and kidnapping over the incident. Picture: NCA NewsWire

On Monday, each of the defendants pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.

Counsel for the mother, eldest brother, sister and brother-in-law told the court they either had, or were preparing to, file papers seeking a trial by judge alone.

Counsel for the father, however, said their client “does not make that election” and wished to be tried by a jury.

Counsel for the younger son, meanwhile, said they would seek to have their client tried separately given he is not charged with attempted murder.

Justice Nicholson remanded the matter to a directions hearing in January.