AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2011
VIC:Jury retires in culpable driving trial
MELBOURNE, April 1 AAP - A jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of
a young Melbourne man charged over a fiery freeway crash that killed his four mates.
Simon Farrugia, 21, is accused of racing his car against a white Commodore driven by
Hasan Burke before the crash on the West Gate Freeway in Melbourne on December 9, 2007.
The prosecution has alleged during his Victorian County Court trial that Farrugia encouraged
his friend Mr Burke to drive at high speeds before Mr Burke's car skidded off the freeway,
hit a tree then burst into flames.
Mr Burke, 18, and his passengers Salih Niyazi, 18, and 17-year-olds George Loizou and
Peter Stavrou, were killed.
Farrugia, of Kings Park, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of culpable driving
causing death and a count of reckless conduct endangering the life of his sole passenger,
Mahmut Temurci.
The jury retired at 2.45pm (AEDT) on Friday to consider its verdict.
Witnesses have testified the two P-platers were racing at speeds of up to 160km/h just
before Mr Burke's car crashed.
Farrugia's defence argues witness accounts are unreliable and pointed to Mr Temurci's
evidence that the cars were not racing.
AAP mi/pmu/dep/de
KEYWORD: FARRUGIA
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