End of evidence in Ashley Feetham trial, jury to deliberate

The trial of a man accused of murdering a Corio dad has heard closing arguments.

Ashley Feetham (neck tattoo) is alleged to have murdered Dylan Bond (red tie), in Thomson. The matter is currently being heard at the Supreme Court.

A chilling message sent to a Geelong father hours before he was allegedly murdered with a knife has been revealed in court.

Ashley Roy Feetham, 25, is charged with murdering Dylan Bond and causing serious injury and recklessly injury to his brother Heath Bond at a Thomson home on the afternoon of April 26, 2021.

About an hour before the incident, Mr Feetham sent a message to Dylan that read, “you do realise there are kids there and I will have no remorse in chucking you in your own boot,” the court heard.

During the closing arguments of the two-and-a-half-week trial, Crown prosecutor Mark Gibson told the jury they needed to consider the context of the events that lead to the alleged murder.

The court heard Heath was engaged to Abbey Sexton, but ended their relationship because he believed she was emotionally cheating on him with Mr Feetham.

Several weeks later, Heath met up with his former partner at a nightclub in the early hours of April 25.

Mr Feetham, who was now seeing Ms Sexton, intervened and a physical altercation broke out between Mr Feetham and Heath.

On April 26, Mr Feetham messaged Dylan, as he had heard he was not happy about the altercation and the messages quickly became heated.

The court heard Dylan and Heath went to the Thomson home at about 3.14pm.

Shortly afterwards, Dylan was stabbed to death, Heath was seriously injured, and Mr Feetham required stitches to his hand.

Brothers Dylan and Heath Bond in their younger days.

Mr Gibson said Mr Feetham had “resentment, anger, annoyance and animosity” for Heath for still being around his girlfriend, just weeks after Heath ended their engagement.

The court heard a few hours before the fatal incident, Heath had planned to meet his former girlfriend.

In text messages read out to the court, it was revealed Mr Feetham texted his girlfriend, writing, “how many times do I need to say choose ffs?” when he learned she was planning on meeting up with Heath.

Mr Feetham also wrote, “why are you pushing me away to mend things with him … it’s now or never, block them all and be with me,” the court heard.

Mr Gibson said Mr Feetham was giving his girlfriend an ultimatum.

“Despite it being a relationship of a long period of time, which has only recently ended, Mr Feetham has what can only be regarded as disdain for Heath,” Mr Gibson said.

After messaging Dylan at 2.54pm, Mr Feetham sent a message to him that read, “you do realise there are kids there and I will have no remorse in chucking you in your own boot”.

Mr Gibson told the jury, the prosecution believed Mr Feetham welcomed the opportunity for a physical confrontation with Heath.

Ashley Feetham

Defence barrister for Mr Feetham, Hayden Rattray, said Mr Gibson did not outline why the two brothers went to visit Mr Feetham.

“The sad reality is they made a decision to go to the street and assault Mr Feetham” he said.

He told the court he believed Heath lied in his evidence during the trial because if Mr Feetham was not to blame for the death of his brother, then he would be the one to blame.

“For the prosecution to suggest it is all Feetham's fault is plainly wrong, absurd,” Mr Rattray said.

Mr Rattray also told the court, the prosecution’s submissions that Mr Feetham’s messages conveyed “murderous intent” were “utterly extraordinary and wrong”.

He told the court his client’s version of events.

Fagg St Thomson, where Corio man Dylan Bond was stabbed. Picture: Alison Wynd

He said Mr Feetham locked himself in the home after learning the Bond brothers were out the front.

Mr Rattray said Heath forced entry into the home where Mr Feetham was, while Dylan stood out the front to prevent him from leaving.

He said Heath rushed at Mr Feetham and shortly after wards Dylan came inside, which resulted in a two-on-one fight.

“After a short period of time, Dylan armed himself with a knife, and seeing that happened, Feetham lunged at the knife”.

Mr Rattray said his client managed to get a hold of the knife while engaged in the fight, and waved the knife around.

“Shortly after, Dylan collapses and Heath asks the accused man to call an ambulance,” Mr Rattray said.

Facebook photos of Geelong man Dylan Bond, who died in the incident on April 26, 2021.

Mr Rattray said there was no supporting evidence in this case that Ashley Feetham had a knife prior to Heath entering the home.

He also told the court there were a number of possibilities that could have led to the fatal wound, but ultimately, his client had acted in self-defence.

The trial continues.

Originally published as End of evidence in Ashley Feetham trial, jury to deliberate