Pitasoni Ulavalu: alleged street brawlers plead not guilty over fight that led to top bikie’s death
Two more men accused of taking part in a brawl — in which top Comanchero Pitasoni Ulavalu was stabbed to death — have pleaded not guilty.
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The final two men accused of being involved in the fatal brawl that culminated in the stabbing death of Canberra Comanchero Pitasoni Ulavalu have indicated they will fight the allegations against them.
The men — both of whose names are suppressed — faced the ACT Magistrates Court by phone on Thursday, where they pleaded not guilty to affray charges.
They join four others in pleading not guilty, including alleged murderer Frederick Elijah Mercy Tuifua, 26.
According to court documents, it is alleged Tuifua also stabbed a second man in the fight, although no charges have been laid over that claim.
One of the men who pleaded not guilty on Thursday is alleged to have gone into hiding in the days after the stabbing, fleeing interstate, sleeping on a beach and refusing to tell his family where he was when he rang on a blocked phone, according to court documents.
That man has been the target of reprisal threats, according to police, who fear he will be again forced to flee in fear of his safety.
He comes from a well-heeled family who live in a dress circle Canberra suburb, who also fear the risk of reprisal attacks by members of the Comanchero gang.
A suspected retribution for the alleged murder of Ulavalu has already taken place, with the shooting of Maximilian Kurt Ellis Budack, who is among the men who pleaded not guilty to affray on Tuesday.
Budack’s shooting remains under investigation and no arrests have been made.
After the alleged affray and murder, police allege the group “fled the scene and gathered at another location where certain members of the group are believed to have changed their appearances and disposed of evidence”.
According to police, one of the men has admitted to throwing out his clothes from the night, which he claims to have vomited on after the fight and stabbing.
All six men return to court in November.
