Murder accused in deadly Zillmere brawl to remain on remand for holidays
One of the 13 men accused of murdering a teenager in a deadly brawl north of Brisbane has been refused bail by the Supreme Court.
A wild brawl north of Brisbane that claimed the life of a 19-year-old was a “co-ordinated attack” planned to inflict serious injuries to the victims, a court has been told.
More details of the fatal September fight that erupted in Zillmere have emerged as one of the 13 men accused of the murder of Girum Mekonnen applied for bail in Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday.
Kresto Wal Wal is one of 13 men facing charges of murder, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, affray and unlawfully striking with a projectile with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the brawl three months ago.
Police allege a group of 13 men armed themselves with bats, machetes and knives and launched the vicious attack on a group of people in O’Callaghan Park on September 13.
The brawl claimed the life of Mr Mekonnen, 19, who is alleged to have been stabbed to death.
Ben Abio, Alex Edward Deng, Chan Kon, Joseph Lokolong, Majok Reid Majok, Malat Akoi Makuach, Juma Makuol Deng Makuol, Anas Ayman Abdu Musa, Yohana Wal Wal, Gabreal Wal Wal, Santo Wal and Abraham Ajang Yaak have also been charged over the alleged attack.
Several of them have been granted bail with stringent conditions as the case progresses through the courts.
On Friday, Kresto Wal Wal’s defence lawyer Andrew Hoare said a substantial surety could be put up to guarantee his client’s release.
Mr Hoare said his client would agree to a curfew, daily reporting to police and a requirement to wear a GPS tracker.
But crown prosecutor Sam Bain opposed bail, saying there was a strong case against Mr Wal Wal.
“There clearly was a plan … to go armed and inflict some serious injury on this group of people,” Mr Bain said.
“There is evidence against the applicant that he either used or allowed the use of his car to transport those people and armed himself.”
He told the court the three cars containing the 13 men went together to the scene of the alleged attack, indicating some level of co-ordination.
Justice David Boddice said the risk of flight could not be properly alleviated given the strength of the crown case.
He refused bail, saying while Mr Wal Wal did not flee in the past, at the time he was not charged with murder.
“While he offers a surety and a range of conditions, I am not satisfied they adequately address the risk of flight,” Justice Boddice said.