The Frankston Pier murder trial has begun in the Victorian Supreme Court, with jurors hearing allegations that fisherman Andres Pancha was stabbed 101 times while fishing in June 2024.
Forrest Stevenson, 38, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Pancha, 45, who died at Frankston Pier on 29 June 2024.
The trial opened on Tuesday, 13 October, before Justice Diana Piekusis. According to Australian Associated Press court reporting, the prosecution outlined its case involving CCTV footage and DNA evidence.
Frankston Pier Murder Trial Hears Details Of Alleged Attack
Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill KC told jurors Mr Pancha had arrived at the pier about 5am and was approached by a man about an hour later.
The prosecution alleges the man attacked Mr Pancha with a knife. The court heard he suffered 101 stab wounds, including 31 to his head and neck and 40 to his torso.
Another fisherman, approximately 100 metres away, called triple zero as the attacker fled on foot.
Paramedics arrived at about 6.12am and found Mr Pancha without a pulse. He died at the scene.
CCTV And DNA Evidence Outlined By Prosecution
The prosecution alleges CCTV footage and forensic evidence link Stevenson to the attack.
Ms Churchill told jurors police identified a man wearing a green jacket in CCTV footage recorded around the time of the incident.
Approximately 80 minutes after the attack, police found Stevenson barefoot in vegetation near the Frankston foreshore. He was allegedly wearing a green jacket and bloodstained black trousers and had an injury to his right hand.
The court heard Mr Pancha was a likely contributor to DNA recovered from the trousers. Prosecutors also allege footage of a man leaving the pier matched CCTV recordings of Stevenson in the Frankston area before the attack.
The prosecution’s allegations remain contested and have not been established by a verdict.
Defence Disputes Identification Of Alleged Attacker
Defence barrister Amy Brennan disputed the prosecution’s identification of Stevenson, telling jurors he was not the man shown leaving the scene in the CCTV footage.
The court heard Stevenson denied being on the pier at the time of Mr Pancha’s death and said he did not know how blood came to be on his clothing.
He also disputed ownership of the trousers he was wearing when arrested and denied putting them on himself.
Ms Brennan urged jurors to consider the evidence carefully and reminded them of the presumption of innocence.
Community Remembered Andres Pancha
Mr Pancha, from Cranbourne North, regularly fished at Frankston Pier.
On 6 July 2024, up to 100 people gathered at the pier for a memorial vigil, according to ABC News. Friends, family and fellow fishing enthusiasts paid tribute to his love of fishing.
Trial Continues
The trial before Justice Diana Piekusis is continuing. Stevenson has pleaded not guilty to murder, and no verdict has been reached.
