Australia - Erin Gilbert, 42, murdered, Merrylands, Sydney, 9th April 2023

[Dpdan]

At last!

 

[Marg944]

Following on from TootsieFootsie’s post of 11th July 2025:-


“A long-haired Jensen faced Parramatta Local Court via video link on Thursday where he formally pleaded not guilty.

Jensen, who has been on remand at Cessnock Correctional Centre, spoke briefly to confirm he understood when Magistrate Peter Feather committed him for trial at the NSW Supreme Court.
“I understand that your Honour,” Jensen said.

He will face arraignment on September 5.”

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/morten-jensen-to-face-trial-after-allegedly-murdering-erin-gilbert-at-merrylands/news-story/d228618c97a7c36a4d72524c382bf638

 

[Marg944]

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Trial date set for 16th February 2026

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/parramatta/merrylands-morten-jensen-to-stand-trial-over-alleged-murder-of-erin-mullavey/news-story/264f3532d7e92bf3b06523c36c4406b6?amp

Behind a paywall, I think. Posting it here for those who subscribe.

 

[Dpdan]

A judge only trial? Interesting.

 

[Marg944]

A judge only trial? Interesting.

I wonder why? I googled reasons why this would be a judge only trial and a couple of answers were that the case was too complex for a jury, or adverse publicity that could influence a jury.

Surely it couldn’t be adverse publicity - look at how much publicity Erin Patterson had, yet she had a jury.

 

[Dpdan]

It must have been negotiated in those endless mentions. I was suspicious when there was nothing reported in the news for 2 years and now hearing it's judge only I'm even more suspicious! It looks like secrecy.

 

[iamshadow21]

I wonder why? I googled reasons why this would be a judge only trial and a couple of answers were that the case was too complex for a jury, or adverse publicity that could influence a jury.

Surely it couldn’t be adverse publicity - look at how much publicity Erin Patterson had, yet she had a jury.

It's my understanding that a defendant can choose a bench trial. So it may simply be that he feels he'll have a better chance that way.

MOO

 

[Dpdan]

They can apply but it's not a given it will be granted - prosecution has to agree, or if they don't agree, court can rule that it's in the interests of justice. There would need to be evidence that a jury trial could be unfair. We've heard so little about this case that there isn't an obvious reason for this.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

There doesn't seem to be a thread for Lisa Fenwick and as she is mentioned here I'm posting an update.

Man jailed for 'cowardly and inexcusable' murder of partner

A man who showed no remorse after a stabbing attack on his partner in their south Sydney home is sentenced to more than 26 years in jail for the woman's murder.

www.abc.net.au

Anthony Eriksen sentenced to 26 years' jail for Lisa Fenwick's murder at south Sydney home

 

[Dpdan]

There doesn't seem to be a thread for Lisa Fenwick and as she is mentioned here I'm posting an update.

Man jailed for 'cowardly and inexcusable' murder of partner

A man who showed no remorse after a stabbing attack on his partner in their south Sydney home is sentenced to more than 26 years in jail for the woman's murder.

www.abc.net.au

Anthony Eriksen sentenced to 26 years' jail for Lisa Fenwick's murder at south Sydney home

Thanks for this. I think that's a decent sentence, I hope Lisa's family feel like it's justice. Eriksen's behavior was very strange, I previously thought he was just delaying proceedings by not having a lawyer but that article almost reads like he was trying to get the most severe sentence? Puzzling.