'Umbrella murder' trial opens
By Patrick O'Neil
February 22, 2005
From:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12333966-1243,00.html



Stabbed ... Mr Williams died four days after the vicious attack / File
A 14-year-old boy wielded a golfing umbrella like a javelin at the head of another teenager, a murder trial jury in Melbourne was told yesterday.
Eighteen-year-old Christopher Williams died in hospital four days after the metal tip of the umbrella penetrated his skull during an argument at an Essendon tram stop on October 21, 2003, the Supreme Court was told.
The accused youth, now 16, who cannot be identified, has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Prosecutor Ray Gibson told the court the accused intended to kill or seriously injure his victim during the attack at the busy Essendon tram stop in Mt Alexander Rd.
The attack came the day after Mr Williams celebrated his end-of-school "muck-up" after finishing classes at St Bernard's College.
Mr Gibson told the jury the umbrella had been wielded in a way that could only have caused serious harm.
"It was used in a javelin-like thrusting of the umbrella in the direction of the deceased," Mr Gibson said.
The attack happened after Mr Williams allegedly defended a female friend who was being verbally abused by the accused.
Mr Gibson said Mr Williams' friend had cut her skirt short to celebrate the end of school. He said the accused had called the girl a "disgrace" and a "slut".
He said Mr Williams had asked the accused about his comments moments before he was stabbed in the head.
The accused said "you think you can f*** with us" during the attack, Mr Gibson said.
He is then alleged to have caught a tram with friends, commenting: "I hope I didn't kill him".
Police called to the scene followed the tram and arrested the accused.
Doctors at Royal Melbourne Hospital concluded Mr Williams had no hope of recovery and active medical treatment was removed.
He died at 7.50pm on October 25.
Defence barrister Michael O'Connell said his client, the accused, did not intend to kill or seriously injure Mr Williams.
Mr O'Connell said his client was not guilty of murder but could be convicted of manslaughter if it was found he had committed an unlawful and dangerous act.
The trial before Justice Bernard Teague continues today.