Australia Australia - Irma Palasics, 72, McKellar, ACT, 6 Nov 1999

[TootsieFootsie]

Man accused of cold case murder of ACT grandmother identified by DNA on milk bottle, police say

A man charged over the 1999 killing of Canberra woman Irma Palasics during a violent home invasion is committed to stand trial in the ACT as police say they identified him from DNA left on a milk bottle.

www.abc.net.au

Man accused of 1999 murder of Irma Palasics during violent home invasion identified by DNA left on milk bottle, police say​

 

[Sor Juana]

Steve Fabriczy and Joseph Vekony have each denied murdering Canberra grandmother Irma Palasics in her McKellar home in November 1999.

From: Grandmother bashing murder case progressing to trial on hold

According to the MSM, SF is connected to both home invasions through DNA evidence. However, regarding the second one, JV, while there is evidence placing him at the scene of the Red Hill home invasion, is there any physical evidence linking him directly to the McKellar home? It's disconcerting that both have pleaded not guilty. Are they truly hoping to evade justice once more? MOO.

 

[DRT]

Police pretended to be criminals to coax confession from man accused of killing Irma Palasics, court documents reveal

New details emerge about a fictitious criminal syndicate police say they set up to solve the 24-year-old mystery of Canberra grandmother Irma Palasics's murder, as a second man is committed for trial in the ACT Supreme Court over her killing.

www.abc.net.au

So after getting Steve Fabriczy's DNA off the Victorian police database the police set up a sting to get him to admit what happened.

"Court documents reveal that members of the fictitious criminal syndicate, which pretended to be involved in criminal and corrupt conduct, employed Mr Fabriczy to do "work" for them, for which he was paid.

Police said he was later led to believe the syndicate had "significant" influence with a corrupt law enforcement officer, who Mr Fabriczy could call upon for any difficulties.

The next part of the strategy was a meeting with the head of the syndicate who told him his DNA had been linked to the murder of Mrs Palasics in 1999.

Police say he was offered the opportunity of the corrupt official "fixing" the evidence, so the investigation into his involvement in the death would "go away".

But this was contingent on him being honest about his involvement and if he was involved, providing details.

The police account says Mr Fabriczy initially denied involvement, telling them clothes and a bottle had been stolen from his home, and must have been used to place him at the scene.

Police say when he was challenged, and told that was implausible, he finally admitted his involvement."
The documents reveal he gave police several versions, including that he was only outside, that he went in to help the other person there, and that he did not know Mrs Palasics had died.

"I had nothing to do with that murder or whatever it is that happened," Mr Fabriczy said.

"I don't know what happened to the lady."
Police say he told them the pair had taken $30,000 from the house, which was not publicly known at the time.

He also identified someone called Joe "Vekon", as the man he'd travelled to Canberra with.

Mr Fabriczy was arrested first, with Mr Vekony brought to Canberra in the weeks afterwards.

Mr Vekony told police he had never been to Canberra.

He has denied any involvement in the burglary or murder.

Mr Vekony said he thought Mr Fabriczy had identified him because he was jealous of the fact he had a family, and Mr Fabriczy did not.

He also suggested Mr Fabriczy may have stolen his balaclava and left it at the scene of the earlier burglary.

Both will appear in the ACT Supreme Court later this month, although no trial date has been set."

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Aha they got them using the Mr Big tactic

 

[dotr]

Aha they got them using the Mr Big tactic

Police pretended to be criminals to coax confession from man accused of killing Irma Palasics, court documents reveal

New details emerge about a fictitious criminal syndicate police say they set up to solve the 24-year-old mystery of Canberra grandmother Irma Palasics's murder, as a second man is committed for trial in the ACT Supreme Court over her killing.

www.abc.net.au

• ''In short: Melbourne man Joseph Vekony has been committed to stand trial over the 1999 murder of Canberra woman Irma Palasics during a violent home invasion, after he was identified by DNA at the scene.
• His co-accused, Steve Fabriczy — who court documents reveal was the target of the secret police operation — has already been committed for trial over the killing after he was also identified by DNA.
• What's next? Both Mr Vekony and Mr Fabriczy will appear in the ACT Supreme Court later this month, but no trial date has been set.''

 

[DRT]

According to the ACT court page tomorrow for Fabriczy

Hearing Dates and Times - ACT Supreme Court

www.courts.act.gov.au

Case Number	Name	Hearing Date
SCC/0093/24	THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS v STEVE FABRICZY	10 Apr 2024 9:00 AM

 

[TootsieFootsie]

The Mr Big tactic is how they caught the killer of Daniel Morcombe.
I think it may have been the first time it was used in Australia.
It originated in Canada.

Mr. Big (police procedure) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Sor Juana]

On Thursday, defence lawyer Travis Jackson, representing Vekony, said proceedings were taking too long, citing his client being in custody and his estimation that a "long trial" may not occur until 2026.

Grandmother bashing murder case progressing to trial on hold

 

[Sor Juana]

Mr Vekony suggested Mr Fabriczy was jealous that he had a family while the latter did not, which could be why Mr Fabriczy apparently claimed he was involved.

 

[Sor Juana]

Man accused of killing Canberra grandmother Irma Palasics refused bail but judge finds his human rights were breached by jail

Mr Fabriczy's lawyer Jack Pappas told the court the jail had breached the ACT's Human Rights Act by keeping him with sentenced prisoners, when he is still on remand awaiting trial.

Chief Justice Lucy McCallum agreed, noting there was evidence from another recent case that part of the Act had not been complied with since Canberra's jail opened in 2008.

Justice McCallum found the breach cleared the way for Mr Fabriczy to apply for bail, because it was a "special and exceptional circumstance".

Mr Pappas said Mr Fabriczy would be prepared to abide by strict bail conditions, including wearing a security ankle bracelet, keeping to a tight curfew overnight, and offering $50,000 surety, while living in his Melbourne home.

Bail refused

 

[DRT]

So he will be in court tomorrow or today by the time people read this.

SCC/0093/24

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS v STEVE FABRICZY

12 Jun 2024 9:00 AM

 

[DRT]

Man denied bail as details emerge of undercover cop following suspect to help solve violent home invasion cold case

Undercover police followed a suspect on a camping trip from Melbourne to Cape York in the cold case investigation into the alleged murder of Canberra woman Irma Palasics.

www.abc.net.au

Vekony denied bail. Police were concerned he handed in his Australian Passport but not his Hungarian Passport.

The defence wants to run its own DNA checking against the samples found in one of the robberies.