Did Sarah collude with her father in this and her mother not know?
It's hard to not take this conclusion on board to the fullest extent...…
Did Sarah collude with her father in this and her mother not know?
Anyone else finding WS verrrrrry slow today?
It's hard to not take this conclusion on board to the fullest extent...…
I can't unsee this.Hahaha ... whoops![]()
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Thanks for that. Just edited my jetlagged post to reflect the correct company name.![]()
Though, I would like to see Borce in his sparklies ... pumping out a Eurovision routine.![]()
Maybe because we're all on together.Anyone else finding WS verrrrrry slow today?
I am still way back reading about the intent of Borce's lawyers to request that the murder charge be reduced to manslaughter.
What are they going to allege ... that Borce was acting in self defence?? That Karen attacked him?
.... can’t understand why anyone would harm such a “kind, gentle soul”
“She’s a really gentle soul, she’s never annoyed anyone from my knowledge … She’s so happy-go-lucky and wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“I just think … She was that sort of person, that nice, kind, loving … If it was random it would be horrific.”
Karen Ristevski: ‘She wouldn’t run away’
They don’t have to allege anything. They just need to assert that the prosecution doesn’t have enough evidence for a murder conviction and therefore the charges need to be downgraded to manslaughter. It’s not an indication that Borce’s story is about to change in any way.
You don't think the motive, of money, insurance, super, Karen's inheritance, can be a premeditated action for murder!
So, evidently his lawyers think there is enough evidence to convict him of Karen's untimely death? They will not try to claim his innocence, even though it is said that he is going to plead not guilty?
March 6, 2017
• Borce Ristevski charged with murder and faces court where a lawyer indicates a not-guilty plea. He is remanded in custody
April 18, 2018
• Ristevski’s two-week committal hearing starts, aiming to determine if there is enough evidence to go to trial.
Ristevski daughter breaks her silence
Yes, they are going to continue to claim his innocence. They are arguing that the prosecution doesn’t have the level of evidence to support a murder charge. They are still going to argue he didn’t do it. Prosecution would be mad not to argue this, though I think in this case they’ll be declined. Why would they do it? Cos if they can’t get him off altogether, the penalty for MS is far lighter.
I will take your opinion on board, though I believe that if the defence think they can prove Borce's innocence the nature of the charge should not matter (to them).
It is not up to them to decide/influence the charge. That is the prosecutor's responsibility.
It is their job to defend against the charge.
Evidently, they are concerned about defending against either charge. And I can see why.
Of course they’re worried.
But if they fail in their defence of him, which charge do you think they would prefer to fail against? The one that gets him up to 10 years in jail, or the one that gets him life?
But in December 2015, Mr Ristevski started Envirovision and named himself the director. His daughter, Sarah Ristevski, was a stakeholder. There was no mention in court of Karen’s involvement, if any.
Mr Curtin said Envirovision became effective on July 1, 2016, “for some reason” and “basically took on sales revenue from the shop”.
Prosecutor Matt Fisher asked him to explain why that might have happened.
“From a forensic accounting point of view, why did Envirovision take on that role?” he asked.
“I have got absolutely no idea why that would’ve occurred,” Mr Curtin said. “I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
Mr and Ms Ristevski were in a dire financial situation. Their Avondale Heights home had been refinanced twice in 2013 via loans totalling $750,000. By June 30, 2016, the couple had managed to reduce the loans by only $8000, the court heard.
Bella Bleu had lost more than $320,000 over four years and the Ristevskis also had several loans and a credit card debt of more than $80,000.
Ristevski family’s ‘constant struggle’
I don’t think the idea of Borce pleading guilty to manslaughter & the change in story that would require is on the table or has even been aired as a possibility.
The magistrate asked the court what they intend to do when all witnesses have been heard.
Borce’s SC replied that he intended to make a submission tomorrow that there is insufficient evidence to send Borce to trial for murder, and argue that if Borce is sent to trial, it should be to face a charge of manslaughter instead.
There was no suggestion that he would plead guilty to this charge - it is just submitting the legal argument that there is at most sufficient evidence to justify a trial on manslaughter charges, and insufficient evidence to justify a murder trial.
The lack of a cause of death may be what the submission will be based upon - we will find out tomorrow. Mr Hallowes will argue that at least one of the criteria for a murder charge hasn’t been met.
Borce’s legal team indicated to 9news that ‘If that happens, his lawyers have told 9NEWS Mr Ristevski will plead not guilty’ [to downgraded manslaughter charges] : Karen Ristevski's remains found with 'skull intact'
Of course they’re worried.
But if they fail in their defence of him, which charge do you think they would prefer to fail against? The one that gets him up to 10 years in jail, or the one that gets him life?