The mother of alleged murder victim William Holdback covered her ears in the South Australian Supreme Court as audio of her son screaming for help after being stabbed 10 times was played for the jury. Prosecutor Nicola Moore said Holdback was stabbed 10 times after a drug deal disagreement in Adelaide involving Brian Slann, 54, and his son Liam, 29.
The jury was told that Holdback arranged to meet Liam Slann at about 1:15am on April 10, 2024 to collect drugs. Liam arrived with his father in a blue BMW. After a brief meeting, Holdback smashed the BMW’s rear passenger window with a metal bar and ran away, chased by Liam Slann.
Moore said that during the pursuit Liam Slann shouted obscenities and threats, including that he was going to stab Holdback. Moore said Brian Slann shouted for Liam to get him and later to stab him. Moore said CCTV audio captured Holdback shouting six times, four of the words clearly help.
The prosecutor said Holdback was left after being stabbed multiple times and died at the scene; the jury was told the defendants drove home without calling for help.
The court heard that Liam Slann had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the prosecution did not accept his plea. His defence lawyer, Elizabeth Mansfield, told the jury that while her client admitted causing Holdback’s death, they must set aside sympathy and be impartial. Nick Healy, representing Brian Slann, said his client was not guilty of murder or manslaughter and that there was no agreement between Brian Slann and his son to commit murder.
The trial before Justice Julie McIntyre continues.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case highlights the lethal consequences of drug-related disputes and the use of detailed CCTV and audio evidence in a murder trial.
- The prosecution’s joint criminal enterprise argument tests the legal responsibility of a parent who allegedly directed a child during a violent act.
- The trial is ongoing, with the jury to decide on charges of murder and manslaughter.
Background
The alleged murder occurred on April 10, 2024, after William Holdback, 21, met the Slanns to collect drugs. During the encounter, Holdback smashed the BMW’s window and fled, only to be chased and fatally stabbed. Brian Slann and his son Liam are both accused of murder, with Liam having pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a plea not accepted by the prosecution.
Key Perspectives
Prosecution: Nicola Moore argued that the fatal stabbing resulted from a botched drug deal and that Brian Slann was equally responsible as part of a joint criminal enterprise.
Liam Slann’s defence: Elizabeth Mansfield said her client admitted causing Holdback’s death but urged the jury to set aside feelings of sympathy and consider the evidence impartially.
Brian Slann’s defence: Nick Healy said his client was not guilty of murder or manslaughter, and there was no agreement to commit murder.
What to Watch
- The jury’s assessment of the audio and CCTV evidence in determining the sequence of events.
- The outcome of the prosecution’s joint criminal enterprise argument against Brian Slann.
- Whether the jury accepts Liam Slann’s manslaughter plea or convicts him of murder.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedHoldback’s mother covered her ears as the court played audio of him crying for help.7NEWS: “Mum covers ears as court hears alleged murder victim William Holdback’s cries for help.”
- SupportedThe prosecutor said 21-year-old Holdback died after a drug-deal disagreement.7NEWS: “Holdback was stabbed 10 times after a drug deal disagreement in Adelaide with Brian Slann, 54, and his 29-year-old son Liam, the jury was told.”
- SupportedAudio of Holdback screaming for help after he was stabbed 10 times was played for the jury.7NEWS: “The mother of an alleged murder victim has covered her ears as a court was played audio of her son screaming for help after being stabbed in a botched drug deal. Threats picked up on CCTV cameras allegedly made by the two men accused of murdering William Holdback, 21, were also played to a jury”
- SupportedHoldback arranged to meet Liam Slann at about 1:15am on April 10, 2024, to collect drugs.7NEWS: “He had arranged to meet about 1.15am on April 10, 2024 and collect drugs from Liam Slann, who arrived with his father in a blue BMW, prosecutor Nicola Moore said.”
- SupportedBrian Slann, 54, and his son Liam, 29, were involved in the Adelaide drug-deal disagreement.7NEWS: “Holdback was stabbed 10 times after a drug deal disagreement in Adelaide with Brian Slann, 54, and his 29-year-old son Liam, the jury was told.”
- SupportedAfter a brief meeting, Holdback smashed the BMW’s rear passenger window with a metal bar and ran away, chased by Liam.7NEWS: “After a brief meeting, Holdback smashed the BMW’s rear passenger window with a metal bar and ran away, chased by Liam Slann, the prosecutor said.”
- SupportedMoore said Liam shouted threats during the pursuit, including that he was going to stab Holdback.7NEWS: ““As Liam reaches that part of the scene, you hear him say ‘I’ve got you now. I’ve got you now. I’m going to stab you, c***’.”
- SupportedMoore said Brian shouted for Liam to get Holdback and later to stab him.7NEWS: “seconds later, Brian Slann shouts ‘get him, Liam’,” she said. ... “Eight seconds (later) … Brian says ‘stab him, Liam’.”
- SupportedMoore said CCTV audio captured Holdback shouting six times, with four words clearly being “help”.7NEWS: ““He shouts six times. Four of the words are clearly ‘help’.””
- SupportedThe defendants drove home without calling for help.7NEWS: “The defendants drove home in the BMW without calling for help, the jury was told.”
- SupportedMoore said Holdback was left after multiple stab wounds and died at the scene.7NEWS: ““Neither went back. (Holdback) was left, having been stabbed multiple times, and he died at the scene,” Moore said.”
- SupportedLiam Slann pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but the prosecution did not accept his plea.7NEWS: “Liam Slann pleaded guilty to manslaughter but the prosecution did not accept his plea.”