A jury at the Victoria Supreme Court has convicted 24-year-old Dimitri D’Elio of murdering 19-year-old Charlie Gander, following a seven-week trial. The jury reached its verdict after three days of deliberation, concluding that Gander was killed in a brutal act of retribution. His body was discovered on December 24, 2022, on a dirt road in Bunbartha, after emergency services responded to a fire involving a vehicle.
The trial also included charges against two other defendants, 37-year-old Kylie Stott and 38-year-old Danny Clarke, who pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, murder, and arson. Stott was found guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping, while Clarke was convicted of kidnapping but acquitted of murder and arson. All three defendants remained expressionless as the verdict was announced in court.
Details of the Case
Crown prosecutor Mark Gibson outlined the prosecution’s case, asserting that the trio was motivated by a desire for revenge against Gander. He alleged that they acted together to kidnap, murder, and incinerate Gander in what he described as an “unnecessary, senseless and callous” act. The motive, according to Gibson, stemmed from Gander’s cooperation with police regarding a firearms breach involving Stott’s friend, Tyson May.
In November 2022, Gander provided a police statement about May’s possession of a firearm, despite May being under a firearms prohibition order. Following this, a disc containing the record of Gander’s police interview reportedly fell into the hands of others, with Gibson stating that this cost Gander “dearly.”
Evidence presented during the trial included alarming Google searches from D’Elio’s phone, which included queries about a “dead body in burned car” prior to media coverage of Gander’s death. Additionally, Stott’s phone contained references to Gander, described as “Charlie dead dog Gander.”
The jury was taken to various key locations related to the case, including Bunbartha, Shepparton, and Nathalia, to better understand the events that transpired.
Next Steps in Proceedings
As a result of the jury’s findings, the court has scheduled a hearing later this month to determine plea dates for Stott and Clarke. The trial has drawn significant public attention, not only due to the severity of the charges but also because of the troubling circumstances surrounding Gander’s death.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of retaliatory violence and the complexities of legal proceedings in such grave matters.
