Man hacked to death with sword
By PAUL ANDERSON
09jul02
A MAN was beaten and hacked to death by attackers armed with samurai swords and clubs in a night of terrifying mayhem.
Two cousins of the victim are feared drowned after they plunged into the Yarra River to escape their pursuers after fleeing down Chapel St.
Police yesterday dredged the river next to where the murder took place in the search for more bodies.
The dead Asian man, in his early 20s, was hacked up to 12 times.
Neighbours in high-rise apartments on Chapel St told police the dying man begged for mercy.
A trail of blood, broken beer bottles and damaged cars along the popular strip showed the victim's last steps as he tried to flee his attackers.
According to police, the murder started as an altercation outside Salt nightclub in Daly St and ended in a frenzied samurai sword attack on the victim about 500m down the road.
The Salt nightclub is where husband-to-be David Lay, celebrating his 22nd birthday, was stabbed repeatedly on the dance floor amid a brawl last July.
On Sunday night the club was open for a special university rhythm and blues party that attracted 400 people.
Homicide detectives and locals living near the busy intersection where the unidentified victim was killed were shocked at the vicious nature of the murder.
About 3.15am yesterday, high-rise residents on the corner of Alexandra Ave and Chapel St were woken by angry shouts and the cry of the sword victim pleading for mercy.
Homicide detective Sen-Sgt Jeff Maher said yesterday: "I'm not only shocked with the injuries that the deceased has received -- they're just horrendous -- but I'm also shocked that this has occurred in a major street in suburban Melbourne."
According to police, the drama began about 3am Monday when an altercation between the victims and an unknown number of others began outside the nightclub.
"As a result, an Asian male in his 20s has staggered up Chapel St in a northerly direction. There was a further incident at the intersection of Chapel St," Sen-Sgt Maher said.
"We believe it (the original assault) involved more than half a dozen, and probably the same up here at the intersection, but at this stage that's an educated guess."
State Coroner Graeme Johnstone surveyed the grisly scene yesterday.
Water police and search and rescue teams dredged the Yarra River yesterday afternoon for the two missing men who are feared drowned.
Other men had been plucked from the frigid water about 3.20am and were last night speaking to detectives.
A spokeswoman for Salt nightclub yesterday said the club was not responsible for the murder.
A club press release issued last night stated: "At this stage we are unable to establish whether or not the deceased person attended the nightclub on the morning in question, but are doing everything possible to assist police in this investigation.
"We are aware there was an 'Asian night' being conducted at another nightclub in close proximity and we are investigating whether or not there may have been an incident at that club."
One source said there was an altercation at Salt nightclub before the incident outside.
The killing has again sparked debate about nightclub safety.
Security advocate David Hedgecock, who sits on a safety working party with police and the Nightclub Owners Association, said metal detectors should be installed in all clubs to help curb venue violence.
"Metal detectors would certainly stem the problem. Every industry needs to safeguard itself and metal detectors are a necessary evil," he said.
But Mr Hedgecock also said more police needed to be out to break up groups of troublemakers outside nightclubs.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or who may know of the whereabouts of suspicious samurai swords, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Herald Sun
Source.
