Five people stand trial charged over the death of Ricky Rowlands at Melbourne’s Supreme Court

A woman allegedly stood over her fatally wounded ex-boyfriend and yelled abuse after alleged wild CBD brawl.

Homeless man Benjamin McCartin faced trial on Tuesday for the murder of Ricky Rowlands. Picture: Victoria Police.

A woman allegedly stood over her mortally wounded ex-boyfriend and hurled abuse at him, a court has heard.

Ricky Rowlands died in hospital the day after the attack near a CBD Hotel.

The group allegedly behind the attack — Benjamin McCartin, Jamie Holt, Candice Harper, Dale Millar and Jacinda Brown — fronted the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Mr McCartin, Mr Holt and Ms Harper face murder charges, while Mr Millar and Ms Brown are up on manslaughter charges for allegedly supplying the murder weapon.

On October 10, 2020, a fight allegedly broke out at the Ibis hotel on King St between Mr Rowland’s ex-girlfriend, Ms Harper, Mr Holt and Mr McCartin at about 8pm.

Mr Rowlands was not staying at the hotel, which housed homeless people — like Mr McCartin — during Covid lockdowns, but his ex and her new boyfriend Mr Holt were.

Mr McCartin allegedly punched Mr Rowlands and the pair allegedly fought under a car before it was broken up.

About an hour and a half later, the group walked back outside when a knife was allegedly handed to Mr Holt before the second fight broke out and was captured on CCTV which saw the group wrestling in the middle of King St in between traffic.

Ms Harper, Mr Holt and Mr McCartin went back onto the footpath before Ms Harper allegedly grabbed Mr Rowlands and the fight escalated.

Prosecution barrister David Glynn told the court this was when the alleged fight became more “serious” and led to Mr Rowlands’ death.

Safe City camera footage was shown to the jury on Tuesday and showed the altercation intensify when Ms Harper and Mr Holt knock Mr Rowlands to the ground before Mr McCartin allegedly stabs him three times.

A witness who was a passenger in a car driving past the scene shot a video of Ms Harper allegedly standing over Mr Rowlands, as he was bleeding out in the gutter, hurling abuse.

Another witness said he heard Mr McCartin allegedly shout “how does it feel to get stabbed, you dog”, the court heard.

Mr Rowland later underwent surgery but died the next day.

The court heard Mr McCartin handed the murder weapon to Mr Millar, who then allegedly left it on a window ledge before it was found by police.

Hotel CCTV allegedly showed Ms Harper change clothes, which Mr Glynn alleges was her attempt to become less recognisable.

Forensic testing on the knife allegedly found Mr Rowlands DNA as well as Mr McCartin’s and Mr Millar’s.

In a police interview, Ms Harper allegedly admitted she had a poor relationship with the deceased but said he was the one who allegedly started the fight.

She also said that she wasn’t aware of the knife until she saw a flash of it during the altercation the court heard.

All five have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The matter continues.