Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of the lagoon weeks after it was allegedly thrown into the water while weighed down by concrete blocks and tyres.
Share this @internewscast.com

A man and a woman were likely still alive after a day of torture when they were locked in a toolbox and thrown into a lagoon, a jury has heard.

Stou Daniels, Davy Malu Junior Taiao, and Trent Michael Thrupp stand accused of the murder of Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, in Kingston, Logan, located south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016.

All three men pleaded not guilty to two murder charges at the start of their trial in the Queensland Supreme Court today.

Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of the lagoon weeks after it was allegedly thrown into the water while weighed down by concrete blocks and tyres.
Police divers found the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru in the box at the bottom of the lagoon weeks after it was allegedly thrown into the water while weighed down by concrete blocks and tyres.(Supplied)

Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the jury Breton and Triscaru were lured to a residential unit and attacked by a group of men.

“It was torturous. They were assaulted when they arrived and throughout the day,” Crane said.

“They had to sit there with a group of men in front of them while bound with cable ties and duct tape.”

Crane reported that the victims were coerced into a toolbox measuring two meters in length and 60 centimeters in depth, which was then transported to nearby Scrubby Creek using a utility vehicle.

“They were certainly alive when they left the unit and were likely alive in the toolbox when they entered the body of water at Scrubby Creek.”

Police divers found the bodies of Breton and Triscaru in the box at the bottom of the lagoon two weeks later.

“It was obvious there were attempts to weigh the toolbox down. There were pieces of concrete and old tyres in the same vicinity,” Crane said.

The bodies were so decomposed doctors could only conclude the pair died either from asphyxiation before being put into the water, or from drowning.

The jury was shown images of the black toolbox being lifted from the lagoon strewn with weeds and water lilies.

Justice Glenn Martin told the jury that Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp had previously faced trial for the murder of Breton and Triscaru.

“That this is a retrial has nothing to do with your task,” Justice Martin told the jury.

“The fact that there was a trial is entirely irrelevant. What is relevant is the evidence you hear at this trial.”

Crane said the prosecution case was Thrupp was at least present when the toolbox was dumped into the water.

“Thrupp could be the doer,” Crane said.

Daniels and Taiao were also responsible for the murders due to their actions immediately beforehand, Crane told the jury.

“The violence, their taking away of the toolbox, made them just as liable,” he said.

The jury heard Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru were good friends and were involved in drug dealing.

“Drugs are at the heart of this. The motivation for it … the catalyst for the killings,” Crane said.

Defence barristers for Daniels, Taiao and Thrupp are due to give their opening addresses to the jury on Tuesday.

The trial is scheduled to run for three weeks.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Singapore’s Unyielding Justice: The Controversial Execution of Pannir Selvam

Singapore’s stringent justice system has once again drawn international attention following the…
Suspects arrested over theft of crown jewels from Paris' Louvre museum

Individuals Apprehended in Connection with Crown Jewels Heist at Paris’ Louvre Museum

On Wednesday, the prosecutor revealed that arrests had been made on Saturday…
Louvre museum heist

Unraveling the Louvre Jewel Heist: Inside Job Suspicions Loom Large

Detectives have raised suspicions that the audacious theft of $157 million worth…

Navigating the ‘Sandwich Generation’: One Member’s Perspective on the Term

With ageing parents living longer and children not leaving home, what’s it…

French Authorities Nab Suspects in Daring Louvre Jewel Heist: Major Breakthrough in High-Profile Case

French authorities have detained two of the suspected robbers believed to have…
The concerning data that shows scammers are targeting Aussie kids

Alarming Data Reveals Scammers Increasingly Targeting Australian Children

Recent surveys reveal that almost 1.5 million children in Australia have been…
After visiting Uluru to mark 40 year since the handback, he's departing Darwin bound for Malaysia and a week with Pacific leaders at ASEAN, buoyed by new opportunities stemming from the critical minerals deal signed in the White House.

Albanese’s Strategic Asia Trip: Navigating Diplomatic Tensions Amid Rudd Controversy

Following his visit to Uluru to commemorate 40 years since its handover,…
Harry Brook's extraordinary 135 was not enough to save England from defeat in New Zealand

Harry Brook’s Unstoppable Record-Breaking Performance Can’t Save England from New Zealand Defeat

Harry Brook nearly achieved one of cricket’s most remarkable feats of resilience,…

Trump Imposes 10% Tariff on Canada in Response to TV Ad Campaign

United States President Donald Trump says he plans to hike tariffs on…
Sardar Amar israel iran australia anti-semitic attacks

Israel Identifies Suspect Linked to Antisemitic Attacks in Australia: A Breakthrough in International Investigation

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad has…
Original Halo video game is coming to PlayStation

Classic Halo Game Set to Make Its Debut on PlayStation Consoles

Xbox and Halo Studios have unveiled an exciting project: a complete remake…
A man has been accused of harassing and inappropriately touching two players from the Australian women's cricket team in the Indian city of Indore.

Man Detained for Allegedly Harassing Australian Cricketers in India

Two cricket players, whose names have been kept confidential, encountered a disturbing…