Defence denied Stuart Rattle strategy

A LAWYER representing the man who has been charged with murdering the interior designer ­Stuart Rattle wants to quiz witnesses.

A LAWYER representing the man who has been charged with murdering the interior designer ­Stuart Rattle told a magistrate the defence wanted to quiz ­witnesses whose statements ­suggested the accused had acted in a manner consistent with manslaughter.

Michael O’Neill, 47, will face a four-day committal hearing from September 2 on charges ­he murdered his partner Rattle last December 4 then set fire to their South Yarra apartment five days later.

Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge granted defence lawyer Jacqui Caust permission to grill 18 witnesses at the hearing, but denied her request to question others who have made statements about the couple’s relationship, financial problems with their business, Rattle’s wish to fire Mr O’Neill, and the conduct and demeanour of the accused in the days between the alleged murder and the fire.

He refused to allow cross- examination of a client who met with the couple on the day before police allege Rattle died. Ms Caust said the client observed that “Michael was always treated as an assistant” and that “he was treated more as an assistant on that day than on any other day”.

On December 3, Rattle and Mr O’Neill drove to the client’s house at Portsea to deliver ­interior furnishings for a project that was near completion. This was the last appointment the couple attended together.

Mr Lethbridge refused permission for cross-examination on the grounds the client had a “business relationship” with the ­couple that was “too remote” to be tested.

Rattle’s two sisters attended the Melbourne magistrate court on Thursday, when Mr O’Neill appeared via video link from the remand facility where he has been detained since late last year.

The couple lived together for 16 years, dividing their time between Rattle’s South Yarra apartment and a weekend retreat called Musk Farm near Daylesford in Victoria’s spa country.

Rattle’s cultivation of a magnificent garden surrounding the renovated Musk school house is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Australia.

The case has sent shock waves through Melbourne’s wealthy elite.