Accused arsonist's family threatened

17 Feb 2009, 1:50 pm   -   Source: AAP/SBS
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Bushfires across Victoria left dozens of people dead and thousands more homeless

Bushfires across Victoria left dozens of people dead and thousands more homeless

At least one family member of a man accused of lighting a fire that killed more than 10 people has been threatened, a court has heard.

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At least one family member of a man charged with lighting a fire that killed more than 10 people has been threatened, a court has heard.

The accused man was named as Brendan Sokaluk, 39, after Magistrate Jonathon Kledstadt lifted a suppression order banning the publication of his identity on Monday.

Sokaluk is set to face prosecution over the fatal fire at Churchill more than a week ago; he is in custody in a secret location charged with one count each of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a bushfire and possessing child pornography.

The Herald and Weekly Times (HWT) appeared in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, fighting a remaining order banning publication of Sokaluk's image.

Sokaluk's lawyer Julian McMahon told the Practice Court his client's image should not be released because his personal safety was at risk.

Mr McMahon said his client's photo and "shocking" comments were posted on social networking website Facebook on Monday night but appeared to have been taken down on Tuesday.

Facebook torture threats

"My client's photo was published extensively after the hearing yesterday," he said.

"Facebook groups were... showing my client's photo and calling for his torture and death.

"The safety of my client is of... concern."

Mr McMahon said threats had been made against his client's family.

"There have been... threats made to one other family member at least that I'm aware of," he said.

"Not only is there the understandable community anger which suddenly has a focus point, there's also vicious hatred appearing in another kind of medium."

Warning to media outlets

There was also publicity about others linked to Sokaluk, including a woman once said to have been his girlfriend, he said.

"There's a very ugly aspect to this," he said.

Mr McMahon said identity could also be an issue at trial.

Crown prosecutor Chris Beal agreed the accused's protection should not be reduced.

Mr Beal said the Director of Public Prosecutions had warned media to abide by the order and was considering contempt proceedings.

HWT lawyer David Gilbertson argued the image should be released because the magistrate had applied the wrong test in determining his revision of the order.

The matter will return to court on Friday.

 

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Your Comments

the danger of assuming guilt

Nathalie - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

The thought that someone (Sokaluk or otherwise) has intentionally lit one or more of these fires is terrible, and people have a right to be angry, but jumping to conclusions and assuming that an 'accused person' is guilty before it has been confirmed by the experts is a useless waste of energy and anger.
The public should wait for confirmation that Sokaluk is 100% guilty - then and only then, the media should unveil his identity... because after all a culprit should face his victims.

Hate groups PREVENT justice!

Sasa - from Newcastle, 3 years ago

Since the hate groups are so sickly fixated on the accused arsonist then maybe they should go to jail if the arsonist does not.

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