The proprietor of a multimillion-dollar brothel empire may very well be investigated over allegations he “manipulated” the mom and sister of a murdered mum to lie about his enterprise dealings, a court has been instructed.
The trial of Ricardo Barbaro, 36, returned earlier than the Victoria Supreme Court on Monday as murder squad Detective Senior Constable Mathew Evans, who led the investigation, gave proof.
Mr Barbaro stands accused of killing his then girlfriend Ellie Value, 26, throughout an early morning argument at her South Melbourne dwelling on April 29, 2020.
He has pleaded not responsible, along with his lawyer Rishi Nathwani saying he didn’t kill Ms Value and suggesting others may have causes for wanting her lifeless.
Below cross-examination from Mr Nathwani, Constable Evans confirmed he had not referred Ms Value’s pal, Mark Grey, for investigation over allegations he instructed two witnesses to not reveal his involvement in brothels throughout earlier court hearings.
However he stated he would take into account it on the finish of the trial “after session with the OPP (Workplace of Public Prosecutions)”.
Beforehand, the jury was instructed Mr Grey had given a “small fortune” to Ms Value since assembly her in 2017, together with paying for her Mercedes Benz and hire.
He denied that they had a “sugar daddy” relationship, saying he was attempting to assist her get again on her toes and she or he was paying him again what she may.
Earlier within the trial, Mr Nathwani accused Mr Grey of making an attempt to “pervert the course of justice” by manipulating Ms Value’s sister, Danielle Value, and her mom, Tracey Gangell.
Mr Grey denied this, saying that whereas he requested them if that they had talked about his connection to brothels in NSW and Victoria of their police statements, he “undoubtedly didn’t” ask them to lie.
He stated he was involved his occupation would turn out to be a “big embarrassment” if it was reported within the media.
“I’m a personal particular person … It’s pointless and irrelevant and an incredible embarrassment to my household and mates,” he stated.
“Regardless of the actual fact these are authorized companies, they’re morally doubtful … quite a few folks solely knew me as an accountant.”
The jury had been proven textual content messages between Mr Grey and Danielle, the place he questioned what she instructed police about his brothels months out from a committal listening to in Might 2021.
When she gave proof, Danielle agreed with Mr Nathwani’s suggestion that Mr Grey had instructed her to not point out his relationship with brothels and to say he had loaned Ellie cash and never given it to her.
She admitted she then “did what he requested”, telling the sooner court listening to she “hardly knew” Mr Grey, believed he was an accountant and understood her sister was paying him again.
Mr Grey denied this was the case, saying he expressly instructed Danielle to “inform the reality”.
Below questioning from Mr Nathwani, Ms Gangell denied she had been instructed by Mr Grey however stated she couldn’t recall the contents of their conversations as a result of she had reminiscence issues.
Mr Grey was repeatedly questioned by Mr Nathwani about whether or not he used his “underworld connections” to have Ms Value killed after she tried to extort him.
He denied this however confirmed Ms Value had demanded $100,000 within the days earlier than her loss of life and threatened to make a police report claiming he raped her.
Mr Barbaro was arrested in NSW a few week after Ms Value’s physique was found in her blood-soaked bed room on Might 5.
Prosecutors allege he murdered Ms Value about 4.30am six days earlier earlier than leaving in her Mercedes-Benz “by no means to return”.
The trial, earlier than Justice Lex Lasry, continues.
