Families clash at trial of AFL star
POLICE were last night on the lookout for trouble in Alice Springs and in the remote community of Yuendumu after a court heard that Melbourne Demons AFL star Liam Jurrah twice led armed attacks on an "enemy" family during a night of violence in March.
The rival groups clashed outside Alice Springs Magistrates Court yesterday, hurling insults at one another in Warlpiri and forcing officers to intervene to calm the situation.
Earlier, the court heard that the Demons' leading goalkicker of last year used a machete to inflict "skull-deep" wounds on Basil Jurrah, his cousin, at Little Sisters town camp near Alice Springs. Another man, Christopher Walker, "pounded" on Basil's leg and head.
The violence in March erupted after Mr Walker allegedly shouted provocations over a death in 2010 at a nearby Warlpiri camp, according to opening statements by prosecutor Steve Robson.
Mr Robson told magistrate David Bamber that Mr Walker had approached a property known as "House 1" in Little Sisters camp, where members of a rival group were gathered.
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"He shouted to the group words to the effect of 'I'm here now, anybody want to fight me?' and 'Come and get me, I'm one of the murderers' and 'I'm going to get my family and come back'," he said.
"Later, a group returned . . . Jurrah and Walker were at the front of the approaching group (that) had formed the common intent to assault the group around the fire."
Mr Robson said Mr Jurrah had struck a man on the head with a weapon, and was involved in three other assaults, including one on a woman that caused "lacerations and bleeding".
Mr Jurrah, Mr Walker and Josiah Fry are each charged with four counts of aggravated assault, one count of unlawfully causing serious harm, and another of being armed with an offensive weapon at night.
The court heard that about 20 people launched a "stealth attack" on their "enemies" by walking across a creek in the dark, while others approached House 1 from the opposite side in a vehicle.
Witness Alan Collins said the weapons used had included nulla-nullas and axes; Esau Marshall said he had also seen rocks and knives.
Mr Collins and Mr Marshall said they and others had been drinking when the fighting broke out. They testified that they themselves had not been "full-drunk", although they said others were.
The committal hearing, set to last three days, will determine whether the matter should go to trial at the NT Supreme Court in Darwin.
