Facts finalised as Bryson Larsen-Tai pleads guilty to the manslaughter of Jesse Vilkelis-Curas

An East Lismore man died after an alleged fight at Ballina left him with “catastrophic“ injuries. Now a crucial step in the case has been delayed, despite one of the accused pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Police executed a search warrant at a home in Tweed Heads West following the fatal brawl at Ballina, 2019.

The facts over what led to East Lismore man Jesse Vilkelis-Curas’ “catastrophic head injuries” and death are being finalised, after the assailant pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Bryson Larsen-Tai, 19, fronted Lismore Local Court for a further committal mention in regards to the 2019 case on Wednesday, appearing via video link.

The court heard the facts had been finalised but progress in the matter was delayed due to the Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor being caught in another trial and unable to examine the details.

As a result, Larsen-Tai’s lawyer was only presented the facts on Monday.

“Clearly that is insufficient time to take instructions,” the DPP prosecutor said.

She also noted the facts were 10 pages in length.

At his last mention on April 16, the court heard Larsen-Tai had accepted an offer from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions which would see him plead guilty to manslaughter.

Jesse Vilkelis-Curas, 24, died in hospital after a brawl outside a pub at Ballina in northern New South Wales. Picture: Facebook

According to court documents, Larsen-Tai was allegedly involved in a fight near Hill and Park Sts, East Ballina on December 23, 2019.

During the fight 24-year-old Jesse Vilkelis-Curas sustained “catastrophic head injuries”.

He was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital where he died a few days later on Boxing Day 2019.

Magistrate Jeff Linden granted Larsen-Tai’s case an adjournment of four weeks.

Larsen-Tai’s matter will be mentioned on June 16 in the Lismore Local Court.

He remains in custody.

Meanwhile, Tyrese Hickling, 20, who police allege was also involved in the fight that ultimately killed Mr Vilkelis-Curas, also fronted Lismore Local Court on Wednesday.

Given he was in the “same situation”, Magistrate Linden also adjourned Mr Hickling’s matter until June 16.