DNA problems to delay Zillmere teen stabbing murder case

The court case against 11 men charged with stabbing a teenage boy to death in a Zillmere park could be pushed back to next year after more than 300 DNA tests were inconclusive and now need retesting.

Girum Mekonnen was killed in a violent clash at Zillmere in September, 2020. Picture: Facebook

The case against 11 men charged with the murder of 19-year-old Girum Mekonnen might not be heard until next year, with more than 300 DNA samples likely to need retesting.

The update comes after a defence solicitor indicated “a number” of the 13 men accused of stabbing Mr Mekonnen to death would be asking that their charges be dropped due to a lack of evidence.

The legal representatives of Ben Abio, Alex Edward Deng, Chan Kuchmol Kon, Joseph Lokolong, Majok Riel Majok, Juma Makuol Deng Makuol, Anas Ayman Abdu Musa, Kresto Wal Wal, Yohana Wal Wal, Gabreal Wal Wal and Santo Wal appeared on their clients’ behalf in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 18.

Each of the 11 men were charged with murder, affray and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm after Mr Mekonnen was allegedly stabbed to death at O’Callaghan Park in Zillmere on September 13, 2020.

A total of 13 men were accused of descending on the teen and his friends with weapons.

Legal officer with the Director of Public Prosecutions Brittany Reynolds told the court on Tuesday (October 18) that the forensic services laboratory would be “retesting” DNA “because of the nature of the defence”.

“We’re trying to ascertain whether that can be conducted prior to the committal hearing,” she said.

Magistrate Belinda Merrin said she was aware police officers would be requesting a retest of some 300 DNA samples which, if carried out, would prevent the defendants’ matters going ahead in December.

“Not all of them will need to be retested, but there were quite a few where (the DNA was) not detected or insufficient and that was important to a number of the defendants, the status of the DNA,” she said.

Ms Reynolds said she would look into whether there would in fact be a request for retesting.

The accused’s defence barristers and solicitors said there was nothing they could do until they knew whether the DNA would be retested.

All matters were adjourned for mention on October 31 at Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Ms Merrin ordered that all defendants remanded in custody remain so with bail enlarged.

The committal hearing is still set to resume on December 19.