QLD: Lacey kidnapping and torture trial adjourned

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2009
QLD: Lacey kidnapping and torture trial adjourned

By Christine Flatley

BRISBANE, Aug 25 AAP - Issues with new evidence have delayed the trial of two Gold
Coast brothers who allegedly forced a man to dig his own grave after being left out of
pocket in a failed drug deal.

Jade Michael Lacey, 26, and Dionne Matthew Lacey, 22, were due to stand trial in the
Brisbane District Court this week on a string of charges, including torture and deprivation
of liberty.

The charges relate to their alleged treatment of Owen Matthews in April 2007.

It's alleged the Laceys abducted Mr Matthews at gunpoint and took him to an isolated
location on South Stradbroke Island, off the Gold Coast, after blaming him for the loss
of 500 ecstasy pills allegedly stolen during a drug exchange.

It's alleged the brothers forced him to dig his own grave and then shot him in the hand.

The trial was adjourned on Tuesday morning at the request of the Laceys' lawyers, who
said new expert evidence had recently come to light.

The brothers' lawyers said they needed more time to explore new lines of inquiry relating
to this evidence, which was not detailed in court.

Prosecutor Michael Byrne accepted the adjournment application, acknowledging there
was no avoiding this delay.

No date has been set for the trial but the court was told it would likely be early next year.

The matter will be mentioned again later this week.

AAP cf/pjo/dep

KEYWORD: LACEY

2009 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.