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
Three men accused of killing two people by drowning them in a toolbox have been found guilty of murder.

Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, were killed at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016.

Police divers found their bodies two weeks later locked in the toolbox submerged in Scrubby Creek.

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)

The jury on Friday returned its verdict after deliberating since 10.45am on Wednesday.

The trio are set to be sentenced at a later date.

None of the accused elected to testify in their own defence.

The jury previously heard evidence that the victims could have been alive when the toolbox was thrown into the water and weighed down with concrete.

Police divers found the bodies of Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru in a toolbox at the bottom of a lagoon in 2016.
The jury previously heard evidence that the victims could have been alive when the toolbox was thrown into the water and weighed down with concrete. (9News)

Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane previously told the jury he would allege Daniels and Taiao were liable for murder by forcing the victims into the toolbox at a Kingston unit in the hours before their deaths.

Thrupp either threw the toolbox into nearby Scrubby Creek or was present when it happened, Crane said.

Thrupp’s defence barrister Jessica Goldie previously said other men, including Taiao or a prosecution witness, could have been a passenger in a utility vehicle that took the toolbox containing Breton and Triscaru to Scrubby Creek, rather than her client.

Cory Breton, 28, and Iuliana Triscaru, 31, were killed at Kingston in Logan, south of Brisbane, on January 24, 2016. (9News)

Goldie said a claim by a witness that her client confessed to him he shot Breton and Triscaru in the head was a “complete fabrication” and was contradicted by forensic evidence.

Taiao’s defence barrister Lars Falcongreen told the jury a “star witness” for the prosecution had given evidence that showed his client had no knowledge of any plan to kill.

Daniels’ defence barrister John Fraser said his client had taken part in what he thought was a “boot ride”, which was a common punishment in drug-dealing circles involving detaining people to scare them.

The trio faced a retrial this month after the Court of Appeal in July 2024 set aside murder convictions for Thrupp, Taiao and Daniels and ordered that they receive new trials.

In 2021, Thrupp, Taiao and Daniels were each found guilty of two counts of murder.

The 2024 Court of Appeal decision ruled there had been a miscarriage of justice on grounds including how the jury was directed in relation to the offences of murder.

However, the trio’s appeal against torture charges, relating to their assaults on Breton and Triscaru, was dismissed.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Telstra proposes mass job cuts from across the business

Telstra Plans Significant Job Reductions Across the Company

Telstra has confirmed another round of mass cuts across the business is…
Deer sprinting across ACT highway

Video of Wild Deer Dashing Across Road Highlights Nationwide ‘Emergency’

Dashcam footage of a deer narrowly missing cars as it darted across…
ChatGPT, Bing and Google apps on an Apple iPhone.

Why Some Young Australians Avoid AI: The Reason Behind This Photo

Some young Australians are choosing not to use trending generative AI tools…
Close-up of a male doctor hand hold a silver pen and showing pad in hospital. Doctor giving prescription to the patient and filling up medical form at a clipboard

Doctor Issues 17,000 Medical Cannabis Prescriptions in Half a Year

Australia’s healthcare regulator has released new guidelines for medicinal cannabis following incidents…

Swift Thief Snatches Numerous Right Boots from Brisbane Boutique

A small Brisbane shoe store is trying to solve a peculiar mystery…
Elsa the greyhound was a happy, active dog before she was poisoned in 2020.

Yvette’s Fight to Prohibit Hazardous Substance that Nearly Killed Her Dog

It was love at first sight when Yvette Colomb spotted Elsa on…
For many Americans, New Zealand looks like a dream getaway from the tumult of a second Trump administration

Liberal Americans Leave Trump’s America for a Dream Haven, Facing Unexpected Challenges Ahead

They’re now being referred to as ‘Trumpugees’: a growing group of affluent…
NRL presenter Tiffany Salmond (pictured) says she has been left feeling 'devastated' after she was 'silently shut-out' out by broadcasters

Stylish Football Presenter Reveals the Heartbreaking Impact of Being Quietly Excluded by Major TV Networks

Footy reporter Tiffany Salmond has shared that her ‘silent shut-out’ by television…

Australians Increasingly Frustrated with Telcos, Lodging More Complaints

The number of complaints about phone providers Australians are escalating to the…

My Close Friend Ended Our Friendship Without Explanation, and I’m Still Grieving

If you spend more time cursing a family member than enjoying time…
Alison Taylor was a key volunteer at the Porirua Citizens Advice Bureau.

Elephant Attack Victim Honored for Dedication to the Community

Alison Taylor, a woman from New Zealand, tragically lost her life after…
Small business owners react to RBA decision

Cafe and Pub Owners Face Challenges Following Interest Rate Change

According to data from Creditor Watch, 10% of hospitality businesses have shuttered…