Victorian taxpayers set to fund multi-millionaire Paul Cohrs murder trial
A multi-millionaire who allegedly killed his mother and brother in 2017 could have his murder trial funded by Victorian taxpayers, despite the accused begging to use his own money.
Police & Courts
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Taxpayers could be forced to fund the murder trial of a multi millionaire alleged double killer, depsite the man begging to use his own money.
Paul Cohrs, 59, is due to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court in July over the murder of his mother Bette Cohrs,-Schulz, 81, on October 30 2017.
Police allege he shot his mother dead after driving the 100km from his brother Raymond’s homestead in New South Wales where he had killed him earlier that morning.
Mr Cohrs is yet to be charged by New South Wales police over his brother’s killing.
Sources close to Mr Cohrs say he is a multi-millionaire who is frustrated he is unable to access any money to fund his defence.
More than $1 million of Mr Cohrs’ assets have been frozen, with other applications still before the court so victims of his alleged crimes could possibly make claim once criminal proceedings have ended.
But sources close to Mr Cohrs have told the Herald Sun he is worth about $10 million.
It is understood he will not dispute killing his mother, but will argue about his mental state at the time.
The Herald Sun has been told Mr Cohrs does not want to be represented by Victoria Legal Aid, and would represent himself at trial if funds weren’t made available to engage the lawyers of his choice.
It is understood he has anticipated his legal fees to cost about $500,000.
Sources say he doesn’t want to burden taxpayers to foot the bill for his case.
“He has the funds. He just wants a fair trial,” a source close to Mr Cohrs said.
“His life depends on it.”
Mr Cohrs had been in a long running court dispute with his brother in the lead up to the killings.
The pair had been in a partnership in various businesses in Mildura connected with the building industry and property development.
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Shortly after the killings Mr Cohrs allegedly made a call to a lawyer at a Melbourne law firm, saying “the court case is over”.
“I just shot Raymond dead and I’ve shot my mother dead,” the voice message said.
“I don’t believe I’ll live the rest of the day out.”
Police say Mr Cohrs admitted the shootings, and when asked why he did it, he allegedly said it was because “they are the evilest people in the world”.
He will return to court next week.