Men clad in black are accused of restraining individuals at an Indigenous camp, reportedly assaulting them through kicking and punching.
Three individuals sustained injuries during the incident, with one woman needing staples to close a scalp wound, as previously reported in court.
Today, Sewell, along with co-defendants Nathan Bull, Timothy Holger Lutze, Augustus Coolie Hartigan, Ryan Williams, and Blake Cathcart, sought to postpone the proceedings until March.
Sewell’s attorney, Mathew Hopkins, informed the court that discussions for a resolution with the prosecution were ongoing and additional time was necessary.
Hopkins mentioned that the details of the case remain contested, although the prosecutor noted that the charges themselves might not be in dispute.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Sewell challenged the claim that the assault was unprovoked.
“If we can agree to the facts, then I’m happy to do what’s needed to be done,” he said.
“This idea that I just walk around the street punching people for no reason… that’s just a lie.”
Three of the accused – Zack Steven Dewaard, Billy Conheady and Haymish Busscher – formally pleaded not guilty to charges including violent disorder and affray.
They will each face trial in the Victorian County Court, with an initial directions hearing listed for March.
The other accused – Jake Crockett, Michael Nelson, Yan Zakharin and Michael Saarinen – will fight the allegations at a magistrates court committal hearing in May.
Jaeden Johnson was the only one to admit offending, pleading guilty to charges of violent disorder, assault by kicking and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
He will face a plea hearing in the County Court in August.
Outside court, a member of the public confronted Sewell over his views and called him a racist.
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