Celeste Manno’s accused killer Luay Sako pleads not guilty

The man accused of stalking Celeste Manno before creeping into her bedroom and stabbing her to death has pleaded not guilty to murder.

The man accused of murdering Celeste Manno as she slept has pleaded not guilty.

A man who allegedly stalked Celeste Manno before creeping into her bedroom and stabbing her to death as she slept has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Luay Sako, 35, appeared via video link from Ravenhall Correctional Centre to enter his plea in a virtual hearing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Luay Sako has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Celeste Manno.

He is charged with murdering Ms Manno, 23, at her Mernda home on November 16 last year.

The court heard he wished to waive his right to contest the evidence at a preliminary hearing in the lower court, and instead have his case proceed straight to the Supreme Court.

Asked by magistrate Tara Hartnett how he pleaded to the single charge of murder, Mr Sako replied: “Not guilty”.

His lawyer, Sam Norton, said: “This is an incredibly difficult and complex matter”.

“We’re just not in a position at this stage to advance it in the real sense.”

He said the case would mostly rely on “medical material”, with an earlier court hearing Mr Sako would be assessed by a forensic psychiatrist.

Ms Hartnett said on the evidence before her, she was “satisfied there is sufficient weight on which a properly instructed jury could convict” Mr Sako.

She ordered he stand trial in the Supreme Court, with a directions hearing slated for October 5.