Latest news with #Breton
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Trio guilty again over 'torturous' toolbox murders
For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024. For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024. For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024. For hours, three men played video games and drank whiskey as Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru lay bound in a toolbox nearby. The pair had been beaten, stabbed and choked before they were stuffed into the two metre-long container. They were likely "screaming for their lives" when the toolbox was later dumped in a lagoon south of Brisbane in January 2016. Almost 10 years later, Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp were found guilty of the pair's murder for a second time. They faced a retrial in Brisbane after the Court of Appeal set aside murder convictions in July 2024. Mr Breton, 28, and Ms Triscaru, 31, had been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, before being attacked by a group of men. "It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day ... while bound with cable ties and duct tape," Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the weeks-long trial that concluded with Friday's verdicts. They were attacked, interrogated and threatened over a drug dealing dispute. When Ngatokoona Mareiti arrived at the unit to buy drugs, Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were sitting bound on the couch. Sent away to buy whiskey, by the time Mareiti returned she could not see the pair and assumed they were in the toolbox at the unit. They drank and played video games as the bound pair were held captive in the container nearby. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," Mareiti told the jury. Cloths and bleach used to clean bloodstains in the unit were thrown into the toolbox before it was taken away with Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru still inside. The terrified pair made so much noise as the container was being moved, music from an awaiting ute was turned up in a bid to conceal it. "The transition of the toolbox to a HiLux utility vehicle attracted attention from those present at the unit complex - there was noise emanating from the toolbox," Mr Crane said. "There was music used from the HiLux to cover up the sound." Thrupp either threw the toolbox weighed down by concrete into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Daniels and Taiao were also liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox hours before their deaths, he said. Police divers found the bodies locked in the toolbox submerged in the creek two weeks later. "Most likely the two ... were alive and screaming for their lives when they were placed in the creek," Justice Peter Davis said in 2020 when sentencing Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, who drove the ute to the creek. "It is haunting to imagine the moment that the toolbox slipped under the water, plunging the night into silence." Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp each pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at their retrial. The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am Wednesday. The trio will be sentenced on Thursday. Overall seven men and a woman were charged over what became known as the "toolbox murders". Tahiata received a life sentence for murder, unsuccessfully appealing the conviction in April 2024. Mareiti, Webbstar Latu, Tepuna Tupuna Mariri and Waylon Ngaketo Cowan Walker were found guilty of manslaughter. However, Walker had his convictions overturned in July 2024.
Local France
a day ago
- Local France
Who are France's ‘gens du voyage'?
Headlines in the regional French press featuring the term gens du voyages are rarely positive. Articles in mid-June 2025 tell of them being turned away from a Provencal town . Another, from Beziers, reports an 'illegal' camp on a sports field . A third explains that a group was to be moved on from the Breton town of Auray . One more reports ongoing issues at a recently abandoned site in the Hauts-de-France commune of Neuville-Saint-Rémy . The term itself is neutral French administration-speak for Travellers - literally 'people who travel' - and refers to an administrative status intended for people who live permanently in a mobile land-based habitat (a caravan, in most cases) or who carry out an itinerant activity. It has become, however, a – pejorative and discriminatory – catchall for several communities of people with their own traditions and customs. A recent study found that the highest levels of discrimination in France were reserved for the Roma people , echoing long-standing prejudice against gypsies and travellers that is seen across Europe. Advertisement The four main groups that fall under the umbrella term of gens du voyage are: Oriental Roms, who came from North India in the 13th century and are mainly to be found in Central and Eastern Europe; the Sinti or Manouches, who are mainly settled in Germany and the northern France; Gitanos or Kalés, whose presence in southern France dates back to the Middle Ages; and the Yenish people, who are mainly settled in German-speaking and border countries, and also found in the Gard, Ardèche and Massif Central regions. Some of those classified as Travellers are fairground workers. There are some 350,000 to 400,000 gens du voyage in France, though only about 15 percent of that number have recognisably itinerant lifestyles – as in they move from town to town – according to France's Défenseur des droits. Most tend to remain in one location. In comparison, Insee data shows that in 2021, France had 137,508 residents of British nationality . According to a report by the Défenseur des droits published in October 2021 , travelling communities in France are routinely discriminated against in terms of housing, access to education and health. The report stated that more than one in two French people (52 percent) 'felt uncomfortable' at the idea of having Roma or Travellers as neighbours. That discriminatory sentiment was echoed in a 2023 report by the Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme (CNCDH), which noted that 'the Roma remain the most stigmatised minority' and that, according to a majority of French people, they form a separate group in society. The report called for the allocation of human and financial resources to the fight against 'anti-Gypsyism', as well as enhanced training on 'anti-Gypsyism' in journalism schools because Travellers are often associated with crimes or offences in the media. What is now known as the Besson I law, passed in 1990, obliges towns with more than 5,000 inhabitants to provide permanent halting sites with suitable facilities for Travellers. A decade later, Besson II obliged those same municipalities to participate in a 'departmental reception plan' for travelling communities and specifically stipulated Travellers' right to free movement in France. Municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, meanwhile, are not required to set up specific sites, but must still provide Travellers with somewhere to stay temporarily. 'Officially designated sites [in smaller communes] must have minimal facilities (including sanitation), for a minimum stay of 48 hours and a maximum of 15 days,' according to Maires de France . However, by 2013, only around half the total number of sites planned in Besson II had been built – while only 30 percent of larger sites were ready. Advertisement Many of these sites had been set up on the fringes of towns, or even outside them, where it was difficult to access local services, including public transport. Several were near potentially dangerous industrial zones – one at Rouen-Petit Quevilly was close to the Lubrizol chemical plant – which hit the headlines when a large fire broke out in September 2019 . As the headlines show, Travellers have often ignored sites set up for their use, and settled temporarily elsewhere, prompting a law in March 2007 that permitted local préfets to forcibly move on Travellers from illegally occupied land – if an area had been set up for their use. Prior to January 2017, anyone living a Traveller lifestyle in France – that is to say someone with no fixed residence of more than six months in an EU Member State – was required to have a circulation permit demonstrating their right to move freely and was obliged to regularly report their movements to local police or gendarmerie. No law specifies that itinerant communities must notify local authorities or mayors before their arrival – but it may be expected 'as a courtesy' – and Travellers may also be required to pre-book access to set sites. Advertisement Nor is there any national law that limits how long Travellers can stay at specific sites set up by larger communes. However, a decree does state that a duration limit can be determined by local authorities within a certain framework. 'The maximum duration of the authorised stay is specified in the internal regulations of the reception area,' according to a 2007 memo from the ministère de l'Intérieur et de l'aménagement du territoire . It adds: 'This duration must not encourage the sedentary lifestyle of Travellers in the reception areas, which leads to recommending a duration that does not exceed five months.' France's attitude towards travelling communities – particularly the Roma, who are not listed as gens du voyage has long been controversial. Following violence in response to two incidents in which French police shot and killed Roma, then-President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed in July 2010 to expel half of the 539 Roma squatting in camps. The government initiated a programme to repatriate thousands of Romanian and Bulgarian Roma, as part of the crackdown. Between July and September 2010, at least 51 Roma camps were demolished, and France repatriated at least 1,230 Roma to Romania and Bulgaria. Advertisement The European Commission threatened legal action against France, and EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding branded the expulsions 'a disgrace'. In 2015 two incidents highlighted continuing French attitudes, the mayor of Champlan stoked outrage when he refused to allow a Roma baby to be buried because the municipal cemetery had 'few available plots'. The same year, a union representing bus drivers in Montpellier, proposed the creation of a separate bus service for Roma people following complaints. It's a mistake to dismiss those two shocking articles as 'history'. The Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published a report on France's attitude to travellers in 2022 noting that 'Travellers/Roma [...] continue to face discrimination in all areas of life'. It recommended that French authorities recognise caravans as a type of accommodation and to review parking restrictions in light of real needs; introduce a system for tracking identity checks by law enforcement; provide social support measures before any evacuation of an illegal camp and to accept legitimate requests for housing; and guarantee education of Roma and Traveller children – who, it has been reported, were being denied access to schools if their families had set up camps 'illegally'. The French government launched a three-year National Plan to Combat Racism, Anti-Semitism and Discrimination Based on Origin in January 2023. This was the first time such a plan addressed the issue of discrimination against Travelling communities. It aims to affirm the reality of racism and equal rights and opportunities; measure the phenomena of racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination; improve education and training; punish perpetrators and support victims of hate crimes.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's #1 Show 'Sirens' Is Bringing Preppy Back—Here's How to Wear It This Summer
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. The White Lotus might be over, but there's a new show all about wealth and power that everyone's talking about right now—Sirens. The Netflix series follows sisters Simone and Devon DeWitt, as Simone is drawn into the glamorous world of a wealthy Port Haven family while Devon questions what's really going on. And it's not just the twisty plot that has viewers hooked—the fashion is just as captivating. The looks are totally what you'd expect of a show set on a Nantucket-esque island (the fictional Port Haven)—think perfectly preppy outfits like colorful Lilly Pulitzer dresses ($188) and pieces that easily embody this year's fisherman aesthetic trend like classic Breton tees ($128). Below, find eight styles to make you feel like you stepped right off the set. Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds. Courtesy of Netflix Lily Pulitzer If you adored the bold pink dress Simone (Milly Alcock) donned in episode one, you're gonna want to grab this one that has a super similar style while it's still in stock. The dress is made from a breezy, 100 percent linen fabric that will feel light in the summer heat and it comes in a bunch of different colors and patterns. So when you fall in love with it like other reviewers who call it a "closet staple" have, you can pick it up in a second style. $188 at Lilly PUlitzer Speaking of staples, linen shorts are a must-have for any coastal-inspired wardrobe, and you can grab this pair from for $30 off right now. The stretchy waistband is sure to keep you comfy while you wear them from brunch to the beach and they're machine-washable, too, so you can wear them over and over this sumer. $70; $40 at Tuckernuck From the crochet material to the crisp white trim, this top is preppy perfection. The body of the shirt is lined so you don't have to stress over it being see-through or finding the perfect layer to wear underneath. Not to mention, the boxy fit is ideal to keep you cool and, according to reviewers, it fits true-to-size. $148 at Tuckernuck H&M This breezy sundress *belongs* near the beach, and at just $40, how can you resist? The seashell pattern is totally on-trend, too, (although it does come in two other tropical prints if you prefer) and the ties on the straps will allow you to easily adjust how high or low the neckline sits—could it get any better?! $40 at H&M Gorjana While Simone's exact Nantucket necklace will easily set you back more than $1,000, this bold heart necklace from Gorjana is a fab (and much more attainable) alternative to the necklace Devon (Meghann Fahy) dons throughout the show. But don't worry, shoppers say this one still looks way more expensive than it is. "This is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry from Gorjana!! This necklace looks and feels like a much more expensive piece of jewelry," said one reviewer. Plus, you can easily switch out the heart charm to another design if you want, or add on any extras to mix it up. $153 at Gorjana Vineyard Vines The cotton/modal blend fabric of this printed Vineyard Vines top that could easily be seen on anyone visiting Port Haven is so soft that you'll want to wear it on repeat. It's available in a wide range of sizes from XXS to 3X and comes in both this pretty blue and a pink pattern that I think Simone would just adore. BTW, if you want to make it a whole outfit, you can pair it with this matching smocked skirt made from the same soft, light material. From $128; $52 at Vineyard Vines Free People Michaela/"Kiki" (Julianne Moore) is constantly donning light, flowy sets that look as comfortable as they do elegant, and this linen-blend one from Free People totally feels like something she'd be seen wearing. The straps are adjustable thanks to the tie-back design, and you have a bunch of colors to choose from—so go ahead and get one in your cart while you still can. $88 at Free People Buck Mason You simply can't build a preppy seaside wardrobe without a good Breton tee. I can confirm just how good Buck Mason's cotton shirts are, and this one's bound to be no exception—especially if you take reviewers' words for it. One shared, "This knit is outstanding. [It's] substantial but not bulky and [easily] sheds wrinkles (after I had the sleeves tucked and rolled the entire day). [It] would be great for travel use, work at home, lounge—whatever you need, this will do it." Well, I'm sold. $128 at Buck Mason These 23 'White Lotus'-Inspired Styles Will Have You *So* Ready for a Vacation PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women's walking shoes that won't hurt your feet, we've got you covered.
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- The Advertiser
'Drinks and gaming' before toolbox murders, jury hears
Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said. Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said. Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said. Three men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox drank whiskey and played video games while they held their alleged victims captive, a jury has heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016. Ngatokoona Mareiti on Thursday told a Queensland Supreme Court jury she went to a Kingston residential unit to buy drugs, arriving a few hours before the alleged murders, and saw Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru on a couch. The jury heard Daniels asked Mareiti to go out to buy Jack Daniel's whiskey and she went to two shops to find that brand. "We drank the alcohol … they had a PlayStation there," she said. Mareiti said when she returned to the unit she could hear Ms Triscaru calling out from inside the toolbox and she assumed Mr Breton was in there too. "I couldn't see him in the unit," she said. The jury heard Mareiti had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the pair's deaths. Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the alleged victims into the toolbox at the unit at Kingston in the hours before their death. Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Mr Crane said. Police divers found the pair's remains in the toolbox two weeks later. Earlier on Thursday, Lelan Harrington testified he was not present when the toolbox was thrown into the water. Defence barrister for Thrupp, Jessica Goldie, asked Mr Harrington if he was lying when he said her client told him he killed the alleged victims. "I suggest to you at no stage has Mr Thrupp ever made comments to you about shooting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru and you just completely made that up," Ms Goldie said. "No, that's exactly what he said," Mr Harrington said. Ms Goldie asked Mr Harrington about his previous statement that, hypothetically, he would have shot the pair in the head. "That is the truth, isn't it? You are responsible for what happened to Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru?" Ms Goldie said. "No," Mr Harrington said. Mr Harrington accepted he was given a suspended sentence for detaining and assaulting Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru after agreeing to give evidence for the prosecution. He admitted lying to investigators in February 2016 to conceal the defendants' alleged suspicion the alleged victims were informing police about their drug dealing. "Yes, I did lie for them so they did not go to jail," Mr Harrington said. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial on Monday. During his second day giving evidence, Mr Harrington, a flatmate to some of the defendants, continued being cross-examined by defence barristers. He admitted he initially lied to police in an effort to protect his friend, named as a chief offender by Mr Crane, from being charged with murder. "I said 'f*** it' and then told the truth," Mr Harrington said. He denied holding a grudge against Mr Breton over claims he assaulted someone close to him when they could not pay for drugs. Mr Harrington told the jury he was sure about his testimony about Taiao assaulting Ms Triscaru. "You saw a cable tie placed around her neck by my client?" barrister Lars Falcongreen said. "I have got a clear picture of that," Mr Harrington said.
The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Toolbox murder accused planned only 'boot ride scare'
Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin. Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin. Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin. Two men accused of murder by drowning two people in a toolbox thought they were part of a non-fatal "boot ride" punishment common among drug dealers, a jury has heard. A third man accused of the double murder would be placed at the scene by witnesses who received reduced sentences, the jury also heard. Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao and Trent Michael Thrupp are charged with murdering Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, south of Brisbane on January 24, 2016. Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of a lagoon two weeks later. All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court. John Fraser, defence barrister for Daniels, told the jury during his opening address on Tuesday that his client thought he was taking part in a "boot ride", a common event in the world of drug users and dealers. "It is where someone is put in the boot of a vehicle and given a scare and then let go," Mr Fraser said. "This had all the hallmarks of a boot ride." Mr Fraser said Daniels left the scene before Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were taken in a toolbox on the back of a HiLux and subject to a "truly shocking" alleged murder. Prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury the alleged victims, who were "good friends" were likely thrown into a nearby Scrubby Creek while still alive and trapped in the toolbox. Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru had earlier been lured to a residential unit at Kingston, south of Brisbane, and were tortured before being forced into a large toolbox, Mr Crane said. Mr Fraser told the jury they would not hear any evidence Daniels went to the creek. Lars Falcongreen, defence barrister for Taiao, told the jury the "real battleground" for his client at trial was allegations he knew about any plans to kill. Mr Falcongreen denied claims Taiao would have known death was a probable consequence of the alleged victims being put in a toolbox. "It is a bit of a stretch that somebody would go down this homicide road when there was a plan to scare the hell out of (Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru)," he said. Mr Crane previously told the jury Thrupp was allegedly at Scrubby Creek and either personally threw the toolbox into the water or was party to doing so. Jessica Goldie, defence barrister for Thrupp, said it was not an issue that her client was at the Kingston unit, but claims he had the intent to kill would be contested. "What happened at Scrubby Creek is really not clear. There is no definitive cause of death," she said. Ms Goldie said witnesses who were due to testify against Thrupp had received " significant benefits" in their sentences for giving evidence. "Are they credible? Are they trustworthy? Are they reliable?" she told the jury. The trial continues before Justice Glenn Martin.
