Innisfail Esplanade alleged murder of Kalman Tal case delayed, accused John Yalu remanded

A significant amount of evidence in the alleged Innisfail Esplanade saw murder case is causing delays for the prosecution after the matter was heard in court for the second time.

THE man accused of an alleged murder at the Innisfail Esplanade will spend at least another three months in custody as the review of ‘significant’ amounts of evidence causes delays in the matter.

Vanuatuan national John Yalu was arrested on February 19 on the charge of murder, after allegedly cutting off Innisfail grandfather Kalman Tal’s leg in the early hours of the morning, at Fitzgerald Esplanade.

Mr Yalu who did not appear at his matter’s first mention on February 21, again had his appearance excused for his second mention on Monday, where his lawyer Michael Rodriguez represented him via phone link.

But the court did not hear from Mr Yalu’s side after police prosecutor Sergeant Christie Mahoney made an application for a further adjournment.

“I’m seeking a further three months, the reason for the delay is there is a significant amount of DNA that needs to be analysed and there’s also some effort being put into compiling what is a significant amount of CCTV (evidence),” she said.

Magistrate Megan Power adjourned the matter to September 12 for another mention, remanding Mr Yalu in custody.

Mr Rogriguez indicated he would require Mr Yalu present via video link at the next mention.

It is understood Mr Yalu arrived Australia around mid-last year and had been working on a banana farm, while residing at a Rankin St, Innisfail nonresident workforce accommodation facility.

Police allege 66-year-old Mr Tal offered Mr Yalu $5000 to amputate his leg using a circular saw on February 19. The saw used in the grisly surgery was owned by Mr Tal, with Mr Yalu allegedly cutting off the limb below the knee.

Following the alleged incident, police reported Mr Yalu assisted Mr Tal to his car parked at the esplanade with his severed leg and then the pair parted way, but Mr Tal was later found dead in front of an Innisfail fish and chip shop, with two pedestrians making the discovery.

Heading up the investigation following the incident, Detective Acting Inspector Gary Hunter said it was a “devastating time and tragic circumstance” for the community.

“During my 34 years as a police officer I’ve never experienced a situation as we are presented with here today,” he said.

Originally published as Innisfail Esplanade alleged murder of Kalman Tal case delayed, accused John Yalu remanded