bloodrayne
08-25-2004, 05:00 AM
Slaughterhouse Worker Accused Of Murder
A slaughterhouse worker fatally stabbed one man and seriously wounded two others in a brutal and unprovoked attack at an abattoir, a Victorian court has been told.
Crown Prosector Sue Pullen told the Supreme Court today it was only luck that stopped the rampage becoming a massacre.
Mohammed Mustaf Mohammed, 26, of Mulwala, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges including murder, attempted murder, intentionally causing serious injury and recklessly causing serious injury.
He has been accused of fatally stabbing 47-year-old workmate Peter Edward Murphy at the Ovens River abattoir in Yarrawonga, in northern Victoria, on March 24 last year.
He also faces charges for the attempted murder of co-workers James Michael Regan, 47, and Michael John True, 25.
Mohammed, a Somali national, had only started working at the slaughterhouse as a halal slaughterman five weeks before the alleged attack, the jury was told.
Ms Pullen said the three alleged victims were beginning their shifts at the abattoir when Mohammed used his work knife to begin his "unprovoked, unwarranted and brutal attack".
She told the jury Mohammed, who was "proficient" in the use of knives, used one of his work knives to strike Mr Regan in the neck while he had his back turned.
Mr Regan was stabbed several times before Mohammed ran away, Ms Pullen said.
Mohammed's next victim was Mr Murphy, who heard some commotion and was stabbed twice when he went to investigate.
Ms Pullen said the father-of-five's stab wounds - 17 and 13 centimetres deep - penetrated several vital organs including his liver, colon, kidney and spleen.
Mohammed was wielding two work knives and chased Mr Murphy for about 160 metres before he was able to get away, Ms Pullen said.
Mohammed then turned his attack on Mr True, jumping on top of him as he tried to run away and stabbing him several times.
Ms Pullen said only luck prevented the attack from becoming a "massacre".
"If it wasn't for the fact that Mr Regan and Mr True fortunately survived, this incident could best be described as a massacre," she said.
Mr Murphy died in an office at the abattoir after the attack and the other two men were flown to hospital by with serious injuries, Ms Pullen said.
The trial before Justice Stephen Kaye continues tomorrow.
A slaughterhouse worker fatally stabbed one man and seriously wounded two others in a brutal and unprovoked attack at an abattoir, a Victorian court has been told.
Crown Prosector Sue Pullen told the Supreme Court today it was only luck that stopped the rampage becoming a massacre.
Mohammed Mustaf Mohammed, 26, of Mulwala, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges including murder, attempted murder, intentionally causing serious injury and recklessly causing serious injury.
He has been accused of fatally stabbing 47-year-old workmate Peter Edward Murphy at the Ovens River abattoir in Yarrawonga, in northern Victoria, on March 24 last year.
He also faces charges for the attempted murder of co-workers James Michael Regan, 47, and Michael John True, 25.
Mohammed, a Somali national, had only started working at the slaughterhouse as a halal slaughterman five weeks before the alleged attack, the jury was told.
Ms Pullen said the three alleged victims were beginning their shifts at the abattoir when Mohammed used his work knife to begin his "unprovoked, unwarranted and brutal attack".
She told the jury Mohammed, who was "proficient" in the use of knives, used one of his work knives to strike Mr Regan in the neck while he had his back turned.
Mr Regan was stabbed several times before Mohammed ran away, Ms Pullen said.
Mohammed's next victim was Mr Murphy, who heard some commotion and was stabbed twice when he went to investigate.
Ms Pullen said the father-of-five's stab wounds - 17 and 13 centimetres deep - penetrated several vital organs including his liver, colon, kidney and spleen.
Mohammed was wielding two work knives and chased Mr Murphy for about 160 metres before he was able to get away, Ms Pullen said.
Mohammed then turned his attack on Mr True, jumping on top of him as he tried to run away and stabbing him several times.
Ms Pullen said only luck prevented the attack from becoming a "massacre".
"If it wasn't for the fact that Mr Regan and Mr True fortunately survived, this incident could best be described as a massacre," she said.
Mr Murphy died in an office at the abattoir after the attack and the other two men were flown to hospital by with serious injuries, Ms Pullen said.
The trial before Justice Stephen Kaye continues tomorrow.