Tobias Moran charged with murder of Simone Strobel, but case no closer to completion
Tobias Moran’s defence team is pushing for murder allegations to be thrown out almost 20 years after German backpacker Simone Strobel’s body was found in Lismore.
Police & Courts
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Tobias Moran’s defence team has told a court they have “no idea” how or when the Crown will proceed, marking yet another delay in the ongoing Simone Strobel Lismore murder case.
Moran, 42, – previously named Tobias Suckfuell – has been charged with murdering his then-girlfriend more than 18 years ago and perverting the course of justice.
German backpacker Ms Strobel’s naked body was found under palm fronds at Lismore Bocce Club, six days after she was seen at nearby Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on February 11, 2005, following a night on the town with Mr Moran and friends.
Mr Moran has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
In mid-March, the defence moved for charges to be dismissed after the prosecution was ordered to serve some 3000 pages in evidence – which could bring the cold case one step closer to trial.
On Monday, the case was mentioned in Lismore Local Court, where the 3000 or so pages were due.
But the court heard the evidence was inaccessible, among other issues.
Magistrate Michael Dakin sifted through three large packets of sealed documents from the Crown, unable to proceed.
“What’s the point of being back in court as far back as February for a return of subpoena?” he asked.
The prosecution has been in negotiations with the Police Commissioner Karen Webb to produce the evidence, the court heard.
“This is a dribs and drabs production,” Mr Dakin said.
It was established the case could not proceed in its current state and the dialogue appeared tense.
Mr Dakin said: “This is becoming unmanageable.”
He adjourned the case again -this time to June 14.
Mr Moran’s case is back in court after Deputy State Coroner Paul Macmahon referred the case back to police during a 2007 inquest.
Mr Macmahon found there was not enough evidence to charge Mr Moran or his sister Katrin Suckfuell, who police alleged may have helped hide Ms Strobel’s body.
Mr Macmahon concluded Simone died on or about February 12, 2005 – likely from suffocation or smothering asphyxia.
He found Ms Strobel’s death was “caused by the action of a person or persons unknown”.
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