A man, Robert Noel Rogers, aged 52, is currently on trial for the murder of 32-year-old Raymond Scopelitis, following a fatal stabbing incident at Rogers’ Nambour home on the Sunshine Coast on 16 August 2021. The trial is taking place in the Brisbane Supreme Court.
The court was informed that Scopelitis succumbed to extensive blood loss outside Rogers’ residence, despite paramedics’ efforts to save him. Evidence presented to the jury included a police statement from the night of the incident, where Rogers claimed he was unaware of any serious assault or murder occurring.
In a video footage played for the jury, Rogers was seen vociferously asserting to police that he was merely acting in self-defence. “It was not murder,” he declared, explaining that Scopelitis had confronted him wielding a large knife, which led to the altercation. Rogers insisted, “If someone attacks you with a knife, you should be entitled to self-defence.”
Rogers recounted that Scopelitis had travelled from Noosa, about 50 kilometres away, accompanied by another man, to confront him over an outstanding $500 debt. During the confrontation, Rogers alleged that he was forced to defend himself when Scopelitis attempted to enter his home with a machete. “I’m the innocent party,” he shouted at police, lamenting that he was being charged with murder.
Evidence indicated that Scopelitis sustained fatal injuries from wounds inflicted with his own knife, which he had brandished during the encounter. According to Rogers, he managed to knock the knife from Scopelitis’s grasp and engaged him physically. He described how he “grazed” Scopelitis on the shoulder before ultimately stabbing him.
When questioned by detectives about whether he had the opportunity to flee or seek help before the stabbing, Rogers replied that he was in shock, questioning if they understood what it was like to be threatened with a machete.
An autopsy revealed that Scopelitis had various substances in his system at the time of his death, including methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.
The trial is set to continue over the next week, with additional testimonies expected before Justice Declan Kelly.