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| Melbourne man to be sentenced for attempting to murder a corpse | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Melbourne man is to be sentenced for attempting to murder a corpse. | A Melbourne man is to be sentenced for attempting to murder a corpse. |
| Daniel James Darrington and Rocky Matskassy were fighting over a gun in March 2014 when the weapon discharged, hitting Matskassy, 31. As Matskassy lay bloodied on the floor Darrington, 39, shot him again. | Daniel James Darrington and Rocky Matskassy were fighting over a gun in March 2014 when the weapon discharged, hitting Matskassy, 31. As Matskassy lay bloodied on the floor Darrington, 39, shot him again. |
| A jury last year found Darrington not guilty of murder, but guilty of attempted murder, accepting that Matskassy was already dead when the second shot was fired. At a plea hearing last year, the crown and defence both said they could not think of another case like it. | A jury last year found Darrington not guilty of murder, but guilty of attempted murder, accepting that Matskassy was already dead when the second shot was fired. At a plea hearing last year, the crown and defence both said they could not think of another case like it. |
| Related: After 20 years, Australia's gun control debate is igniting once again | Related: After 20 years, Australia's gun control debate is igniting once again |
| The Victorian supreme court trial heard that Darrington was drunk when he fought with Matskassy at an associate’s Melton South home. Darrington assaulted Matskassy after the pair argued, the court heard. | The Victorian supreme court trial heard that Darrington was drunk when he fought with Matskassy at an associate’s Melton South home. Darrington assaulted Matskassy after the pair argued, the court heard. |
| The defence barrister, John Desmond, said it was Matskassy who produced the gun, though Justice Paul Coghlan said he may not be able to make a finding on who had brought the weapon. | The defence barrister, John Desmond, said it was Matskassy who produced the gun, though Justice Paul Coghlan said he may not be able to make a finding on who had brought the weapon. |
| The crown prosecutor, Peter Rose QC, said Darrington should receive a significant sentence as he clearly intended to kill Matskassy at the time he fired the second shot. | The crown prosecutor, Peter Rose QC, said Darrington should receive a significant sentence as he clearly intended to kill Matskassy at the time he fired the second shot. |
| Mercedesz Matskassy said her brother’s death had been a devastating shock. “He was my only sibling and last surviving member of my immediate family,” she said. | Mercedesz Matskassy said her brother’s death had been a devastating shock. “He was my only sibling and last surviving member of my immediate family,” she said. |
| Darrington is due to face the Victorian supreme court on Monday to be sentenced for attempted murder. | Darrington is due to face the Victorian supreme court on Monday to be sentenced for attempted murder. |