Further delay to case of Innisfail circular saw death

The Vanuatu national accused of killing an Innisfail pensioner by cutting off his leg with a cordless circular saw could have his matter transferred to the mental health court.

The scene of a suspicious death at Fitzgerald Esplanade, where the body of 66-year-old man in Innisfail man was discovered. Saturday, February 19, 2022. Picture: Arun Singh Mann

The Vanuatu national accused of killing an Innisfail pensioner by cutting off his leg with a cordless circular saw had his matter heard again in the Cairns Supreme Court.

In December 2023 John Yalu was indicted for murder following an alleged crime that shocked the Cassowary Coast.

Mr Yalu is accused of murdering Innisfail grandfather Kalman Tal by amputating his leg.

John Yalu, 36, was charged with murder following the death of an Innisfail man Kalman Tal.

The fruit picker who was 27 at the time of the alleged incident on February 19, 2022, was listed for arraignment at the Cairns Supreme Court on Thursday before Justice Jim Henry.

However the matter was adjourned yet again after Justice Henry suggested that Mr Yalu’s lawyer consider making an application to the mental health court.

In February this year fitness to plead to the charge was questioned and before his next appearance the court was told Dr Jeffrey Cummins would evaluate the mental capacity of the accused to enter a plea to the charge of murder.

Twenty seven months on from the death of Mr Tal no plea has been entered by Mr Yalu, however in previous mentions of his case it was indicated he would plead not guilty.

If a trial goes ahead its expected police will allege at 3.48am on February 19 Mr Yalu and Kalman Tal, 66, drove together to Fitzgerald Park at Innisfail, where they sat under a tree in the park for about 20 minutes before Mr Yalu used a circular saw to cut Mr Tal’s leg off at the knee.

The mutilated body of the much-loved pensioner was discovered by passers-by on Fitzgerald Esplanade.

A new arraignment date of May 23 was set on Thursday.

If actually arraigned on the murder charge he will enter a plea on that date, however if the matter is transferred to the mental health court the Cairns Supreme Court matter will not proceed.

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Originally published as Further delay to case of Innisfail circular saw death