Two cousins in custody over an alleged vicious assault have disputed the police version of events that led to a Wangaratta man’s head being stomped on to the point of death.
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Jacob Allan, 23, and Christopher Meaney, 27, appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Monday – both suffering their own injuries from a brawl that occurred outside a White Street property early Saturday morning.
Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Penny Lawler said the fight started when Allan and Meaney mistakenly believed a group of men called them names.
“They reacted aggressively to this name calling,” she said.
Meaney allegedly started the fight by swinging a bag, but the cousins initially came off second best when another man produced two machetes.
Allan appeared in court in a wheelchair and with a bandage on his head – he was struck in the head, ribs and achilles with the machete.
Meaney also had a bandage covering his broken arm.
But when the man was stripped of one of his machetes, he fled the scene, leaving the cousins to allegedly turn on his two friends – who were both knocked unconscious in the assault.
The Border Mail has now identified one of the victims as 41-year-old Russell Berry, who remained on life support at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after Allan allegedly took the assault a step further.
“The accused approached him and commenced kicking and stomping on him, directly in the face and ribs,” Leading Senior Constable Lawler said.
“He’s not expected to survive those injuries.”
Allan was charged with recklessly causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence and Meaney with recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
They had both been interviewed by Homicide Squad detectives.
Magistrate John Murphy revoked Meaney’s previous bail.
Solicitor Geoff Clancy represented both the accused and said neither would apply for bail on Monday, but they needed ongoing medical treatment for their injuries.
“The summary between the defence and the police is disputed,” he said. “We don't know if it is going to be heard in the County or the Supreme Court (if extra charges are laid at a later time).”
The cousins were supported in court by vocal family members who filled up the public gallery and yelled out support including “stay strong” and “we love you darling”.
Meaney will reappear in court in July and Allan in November.
