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Claims Jurrah celebrated attack on cousin

Former AFL player Liam Jurrahcelebrated as he slashed his cousin with a machete last year, acourt has been told.

Alleged victim of Jurrah to testify
The man allegedly assaulted by former AFL player Liam Jurrah is expected to testify on Wednesday.

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Source: AAP


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Former AFL player Liam Jurrah celebrated as he slashed his cousin with a machete last year, a court has been told.

On Friday, witness Esau Marshall was cross-examined by defence counsel Jon Tippett, QC, and said he saw the fight between Liam Jurrah and his cousin Basil Jurrah at the Little Sisters Camp in Alice Springs last March.

Asked if had really seen the footballer with a machete over his head smashing down on Basil Jurrah and using the sharp edge of the weapon, Mr Marshall said he had. "He was celebrating. He was saying `BJ, BJ, BJ'," Mr Marshall said.

"This was something you watched?" Mr Tippett asked.

"Yes," Mr Marshall replied. Mr Tippett pressed the witness as to whether he had really seen that happen, because it was not included in a statement taken by police.

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"I told them what I seen," Mr Marshall said. Mr Marshall was also asked how he could testify what he saw given he had earlier said it was dark in the backyard where the alleged victim was hurt.

"It was dark in the backyard, but inside the house there was a light," Mr Marshall said.

Liam Jurrah has pleaded not guilty to seriously harming Basil Jurrah. If convicted he could face up to 14 years' jail.

The Supreme Court hearing in Alice Springs, which began on Monday, had earlier been told Jurrah was involved in two violent incidents at Little Sisters on March 7 last year.

The conflict relates to a dispute between two families in the outback town of Yuendumu, where Jurrah is from, the court was told earlier.

Basil Jurrah suffered a fracture to his skull, fractures to his face including eye socket and nose, and four scalp lacerations, the court has been told. The trial continues.


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