VIC:Millionaire killer had prior, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2010
VIC:Millionaire killer had prior, court told

MELBOURNE, Aug 30 AAP - One of the two swingers who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter
of Melbourne multimillionaire Herman Rockefeller has a prior conviction for intentionally
causing serious injury, a court has heard.

A pre-sentence hearing has begun in the Victorian Supreme Court for Mario Schembri
and Bernadette Denny who earlier this year pleaded guilty to Mr Rockefeller's manslaughter.

Prosecutor Chris Beale SC told the court the property investor was bashed, dismembered
and burnt after he failed to bring his wife to a swinger's house in the Melbourne suburb
of Hadfield for sex on January 21 this year.

Schembri and Denny later bought a chainsaw from a hardware store and Schembri dismembered
Mr Rockefeller's body, he said.

Mr Rockefeller's remains were taken to a house in Glenroy and burnt in a drum at the
rear of a junk-strewn backyard, Mr Beale said.

"The deceased was subjected to an unlawful and dangerous assault by Schembri and Denny
which caused his death," he said.

Mr Beale said Schembri has a prior conviction for intentionally causing serious injury.

Justice Terry Forrest has adjourned the court temporarily while he reads victim impact
statements from Mr Rockefeller's family including his wife Victoria, who is in the court.

AAP df/vam/gfr/apm

KEYWORD: ROCKEFELLER

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