Arabic version: أب وابنه يواجهان محاكمة بتهمة القتل في ويلاند

According to ABC News, Brian Slann, 54, and his son Liam Slann, 29, are standing trial over the alleged murder of William Holdback, 21, in Welland in Adelaide’s inner north-west. The prosecution alleges Mr Holdback was stabbed 10 times and left calling for help on a suburban street in the early hours of April 10, 2024.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to murder. Liam Slann has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting his actions caused Mr Holdback’s death, but the prosecution did not accept that plea. Prosecutor Nicola Moore told the Supreme Court jury that Mr Holdback and Liam Slann had arranged through a messaging app to meet on Musgrave Avenue to purchase or collect drugs.

The prosecution alleges the father and son arrived by car about 1:20am, after which there was a disagreement over drugs. Ms Moore said Mr Holdback allegedly smashed a rear passenger window with a metal bar and ran down Barrpowell Street. She alleged he was chased by Liam Slann, who was armed, and Brian Slann.

Ms Moore told jurors the prosecution case was that Brian Slann shouted directions to his son and that CCTV captured him saying, “Stab him Liam.” She said the pair had entered a joint criminal enterprise, alleging they reached an agreement to attack Mr Holdback with a knife and intended either to kill him or inflict grievous bodily harm.

Brian Slann’s barrister, Nick Healy, denied there was an agreement to murder Mr Holdback. He said Brian Slann was present and drove the car, but was not the principal offender and did not possess the knife. The weapon was not recovered. Liam Slann’s barrister, Elizabeth Mansfield, urged jurors to consider the evidence impartially. The trial before a 14-person jury continues.