Arabic version: انتهاء محاكمة اعتداء بساطور في كانبرا بعد إقرار بالذنب

According to ABC News, a Canberra attempted murder trial has been abandoned after Zachery Norton pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm. A jury had been selected for the ACT Supreme Court case, which was due to begin this week, but was dismissed after the prosecution tendered a new agreed statement of facts.

Norton, 32, had been charged with attempted murder over an alleged September 2024 altercation at a home in Wanniassa. He was arrested in November 2024 and accused of using a machete to sever three of the victim’s fingers and cause multiple deep cuts and fractures.

Two other people had been charged as accessories after the fact. Kayla Scott, 29, now faces a charge of assisting Norton to avoid apprehension and has pleaded not guilty. The charge against Paul New, 36, was dropped.

Justice Jon White dismissed the jury and thanked its members for their time. He said he understood they could be disappointed and confused, adding that matters sometimes come to a head when parties must present their respective cases.

Norton remains in custody. His lawyer, James Sabharwal, told the court he would seek bail before sentencing. Scott remains on bail and is expected to face another trial, with dates likely to be set later this year.