Trio plead not guilty to murder of Michael Zanco, who was shot while eating dinner

One of three men accused of the murder of Michael Zanco, who was shot in the head while eating dinner, allegedly passed a note in prison detailing his version of events.

Michael Zanco was shot in the head as he ate dinner.

Three men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of 22-year-old Michael Zanco, who died a day after being shot in the head at a regional Gympie property in March 2020.

More than 30 witnesses are expected to be called at the joint trial of Nathan John Caulfield, 36, Trent Edward Dyhrberg, 36, and Kalabe John Steven Saurine, 22, in the Brisbane Supreme Court before Justice Peter Davis.

Crown Prosecutor Michael Lehane said Mr Zanco, whose nickname was Marcel, had become involved in the Gympie “drug scene” about two weeks before his death when he moved in with a drug dealer named Donny.

Mr Lehane said it was alleged the defendants Caulfield and Dyhrberg had been “partying” at a Gympie pub, drinking alcohol and using ice when they ran out of drugs.

They decided to drive to Donny’s house and picked up Saurine on the way, all three cramming into a two-seater ute.

One of three men charged with shooting Gympie man Michael Zanco in the head in 2020. 

Another of three men charged.

Mr Lehane said it would be alleged Caulfield was armed with a sawn-off rifle and Saurine with a machete when the three arrived at Donny’s house and entered.

The prosecutor said Donny was not home but Mr Zanco was.

He said the 22-year-old Mr Zanco, who had been eating fish and chips for dinner on the lounge with a friend, was ultimately shot in the head.

“Within a few minutes, possibly even less, Caulfield shoots Michael Zanco in the head,” Mr Lehane said.

Mr Zanco was rushed to the Gympie Hospital and later flown to Brisbane, where tests showed brain death.

Life supports were turned off and he died the night after the shooting.

“Once the bullet went into his head, Michael Zanco never stood a chance; he dies the next day,” Mr Lehane said.

The prosecutor said Saurine later gave evidence to police that the trio had attended the Amamoor property to rob Donny of drugs and money and on the way had agreed that “no one gets hurt”.

Mr Lehane read a note allegedly written by Saurine in prison and intercepted by corrective staff as it was flicked between cells on a string.

The letter allegedly said: “So what happened was me, Corn and Trent went there to rob them and Corn shot old mate in the head point blank it was crazy bro and now I’m getting charged with armed robbery and murder and Corn’s not putting up his hand so I’m in a f----d situation”.

The trial continues.