A JURY yesterday found two North East men guilty of killing Scottish migrant Billy Winter, with the judge labelling it a tragic case where lives were destroyed “over nothing”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ricky Doubleday, 23, of Wodonga, was found guilty of defensive homicide, while Ronald Dale Croxford, 37, of Whorouly, was found guilty of manslaughter by the jury of seven men and seven women which had begun deliberations just after 1pm last Thursday.
Both men had pleaded not guilty to murder.
Mr Winter, 49, died after suffering massive head injuries when he was struck with a large wooden stake following an argument at the Birallee Tavern on July 27 last year.
His widow, Kim Winter, was satisfied with the jury’s verdicts which came after nearly two weeks of evidence centred on Doubleday and Croxford and their confrontation with a knife-wielding Mr Winter.
“Our justice system has served its purpose today,” Ms Winter said outside Wodonga courthouse where the Supreme Court trial was heard.
“These men had choices with what they did, but it’s a no-win situation for everybody concerned, because all these families are affected, just as I have been for the last 12 months, getting used to (life without Mr Winter).”
Asked what sentence she would like to see imposed on Doubleday and Croxford, Ms Winter declined to nominate a term, instead reflecting on her loss.
“These people still get to touch their families, even under conditions, but I don’t get that opportunity ever again — it’s a long way to heaven,” Ms Winter said.
Following the jury’s verdicts and amid plea hearings, Justice Paul Coghlan reflected on the dire results of what happened when Winter pulled out a knife in response to a cheeky comment made by Doubleday about his age.
“This is a tragic case, don’t think I’m not conscious of that,” Justice Coghlan said.
“It’s just tragic from everyone’s point of view, we’ve got a man dead and two relatively young people’s lives destroyed ... over nothing.”
Justice Coghlan said he did not “relish sentencing these men at all, it’s not an easy sentence”.
He later added “there’s no escaping the sort of case it is” and admitted the sentences would have to be “reasonably substantial”.
The trial had heard that Croxford became violent outside the tavern after Mr Winter produced a knife, but then put it away and said he was joking.
Mr Winter retreated up Leisure Centre Drive with Croxford and Doubleday coming after him with garden stakes.
He armed himself with the knife in one hand and belt in the other.
The men hit him to the head and body before fleeing the scene.
They were arrested by police a short time later.
Justice Coghlan ordered psychiatric reports for both the men before their sentencing in the Wodonga court.
