Cairns crime: Peniola Liu to stand trial for alleged Innisfail taxi rank murder

Almost two years after a 28-year-old man died from a flurry of punches to the head at an Innisfail taxi rank, the man charged with his murder will stand trial.

A man charged with murdering a father of two in Innisfail will stand trial in Cairns Supreme Court in December.

Tongan national Peniola Liu, who was 30 at the time of the alleged murder at 2.20am on Saturday December 18, 2020, will stand trial on December 5.

Crown prosecutor Tegan Grasso presented an indictment before Justice James Henry in the Cairns Supreme Court on Thursday.

Alex Ollson, 28, died during a fatal assault at the Edith Street taxi rank in Innisfail.

The trial is expected to last four days.

Mr Liu has been in custody since his first appearance in Innisfail Magistrates Court on December 18, 2020.

Police will allege Alex Ollson, 28, died at the scene after the two men became involved in a verbal altercation on Edith St after drinking at the Crown Hotel.

Despite the best efforts of police who conducted CPR, he could not be resuscitated.

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said at the time police would allege Mr Ollson suffered a flurry of blows to the side of his head.

Mr Ollson and the defendant had allegedly been at the Crown Hotel in Innisfail before an altercation occurred at a taxi rank.

The incident was recorded on CCTV footage which is expected to be used in court as evidence.

Mr Liu had been working in the area.

The alleged bashing at a taxi rank occurred in front of a number of horrified onlookers, who came forward to police.

Originally published as Cairns crime: Peniola Liu to stand trial for alleged Innisfail taxi rank murder