AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
NSW: Man pleads not guilty to cricket bat murder of neighbour
A young epileptic man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his neighbour with a cricket
bat in a case that will test the NSW government's Home Invasion Act.
CHRIS BRETT MUNRO, 21, allegedly bashed 22-year-old BEN PRIOR in the early hours of
Christmas Day 1999 at the accused's house in Coolamon, in south-west New South Wales.
PRIOR died the next day in St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney.
The Carr government's act, gazetted in November 1998, allows an occupant to act in
self-defence against an intruder and to be exempt from criminal and civil liability.
Opening the prosecution case, MICHAEL BARR, QC, told the New South Wales Supreme Court
the fatal blow was struck when Mr PRIOR was face down on the ground having already been
hit a number of times by MUNRO.
Defence barrister BARRY TOOMEY, QC, says his client will offer a vastly different explanation
of events on the night.
The trial before Justice JEREMY BADGERY-PARKER started late this morning after MUNRO
had a fit upon arriving at the court house.
MUNRO has elected to have the case heard without a jury and remains under observation
in hospital tonight following his earlier seizure.
The case continues.
AAP RTV ij/sb/wz/jn
KEYWORD: MUNRO (SYDNEY)
2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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