Quincy Detenamo, who represented Nauru at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, today appeared at the Victorian Supreme Court for the first day of his trial. The 26-year-old of the Buada district of Nauru has pleaded not guilty to the murder of street worker, Grace Ilardi, 39, who was found dead in a lane in Elwood, in Melbourne's inner-south, on July 17 last year.
The jury heard Detenamo was in Melbourne to compete in a weightlifting event and staying with family in suburban Middle Park in July last year.
Crown Prosecutor Gavin Silbert told the court Detenamo was drinking in the Melbourne city area with relatives into the early hours of July 17.
Mr Silbert alleged that after that Detenamo drove to St Kilda where he picked up Ms Ilardi, drove her to a laneway in Elwood, assaulted her and strangled her.
He told the jury witnesses saw Ms Ilardi being pushed out of a vehicle and a man fitting Detenamo's description was seen standing over her body and then leaving the laneway in a car.
Mr Silbert told the jury that earlier Detenamo had allegedly picked up another prostitute, but she got a "bad vibe", felt uneasy and got out of the car.
Defence lawyer John Lavery said the cause of the deceased woman's death could have been a drug overdose.
"There were various narcotic substances present in the body of the deceased woman ... at a level which could have caused death on their own," Mr Lavery said.
The jury was told Ms Ilardi had a history of illicit drug use and was on the methadone program at the time of her death.
Mr Lavery said Detenamo did not take issue with the assertion that he was in the car with Ms Ilardi and "that there was a physical struggle, or fight ... with himself and that woman".
He told the jury that the prosecution would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms Ilardi died as a result of Detenamo's actions.
Forensic pathologist Malcolm Dodd conducted the autopsy on Ms Illardi.
He told the court she had a black left eye, bruising and abrasions, particularly to her face and neck and methadone, heroin, speed and cannabis were found in her system.
"In this case I believe this woman was an intravenous drug user," Dr Dodd said.
"I don't believe the drugs have had any role to play whatsoever."
"This is a case of strangulation," he said.
The trial before Judge Katherine Williams continues tomorrow.
Detenamo, one of the top sporting figures to emerge from the tiny South Pacific island, also represented Nauru at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.
