Arabic version: ريم يواجه محاكمة بشأن طعن في حفلة بأديلايد عام 2007

According to ABC News, Kimlong Rim, 38, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thea Kheav, 21, who was fatally stabbed outside an 18th birthday party at Parafield Gardens in Adelaide’s north in December 2007.

South Australia’s Supreme Court heard on Tuesday that Rim was allegedly part of a group of four men accused of murdering Kheav. Prosecutor Kos Lesses told the jury that an argument had broken out between one of Kheav’s brothers and a man from the accused’s group. The man allegedly left the party angry before returning in a convoy of cars with a large group of men, including Rim and three others allegedly involved in the murder.

Lesses said the group allegedly armed themselves with bottles, planks of wood and a machete-type knife before disrupting the party. He told the jury the altercation occurred in two stages: Kheav was first allegedly struck with a bottle while standing beside a woman, then tried to flee into the backyard. Kheav allegedly attempted to climb over gates but was pulled down, kicked and punched, and stabbed in the chest with a long-bladed knife.

Paramedics were unable to resuscitate Kheav, who died at the scene. The court heard his death was caused by a single chest stab wound and that he also had other injuries, including a cut to his face. Lesses said the alleged attack was retaliation, describing it as an armed group seeking “payback” on one of the Kheav brothers. The alleged weapon was never recovered.

Defence barrister Ryan Williams SC said it was not disputed that Rim attended the party and engaged in “deplorable behaviour”, but argued that he was not a murderer. Justice Rachael Gray told the 14-person jury to keep an open mind until it considers a verdict. The trial is expected to continue for three weeks.