Three men have been found guilty of murdering Cory Breton and Iuliana Triscaru by drowning them in a toolbox in Kingston, Logan, south of Brisbane. The bodies of the victims were discovered two weeks later, submerged in Scrubby Creek and secured within the toolbox, allegedly weighted down with concrete blocks and tyres.
The jury reached its decision after deliberating for approximately a day and a half, and the men, identified as Thrupp, Taiao, and Daniels, are awaiting sentencing. None of the accused chose to testify in their own defence. The court heard evidence suggesting that the victims might have still been alive when they were placed in the toolbox and thrown into the water.
Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane alleged that Daniels and Taiao forced the victims into the toolbox at a unit in Kingston shortly before their deaths, while Thrupp either participated in throwing the toolbox into the creek or was present during the act. In contrast, Thrupp’s defence argued that another individual might have been involved in transporting the toolbox to the creek.
Throughout the trial, defence barristers presented varying arguments. They claimed a witness’s testimony about Thrupp confessing to the murder was untrue and contradicted by forensic evidence. Additionally, Taiao’s lawyer pointed out that a key prosecution witness revealed that Taiao had no prior knowledge of any murder plans. Daniels’ barrister described his client’s intentions as part of a coercive act, commonly referred to as a “boot ride,” rather than a murderous plan.
The trio previously faced conviction for the murders in 2021, but following a successful appeal in July 2024 based on a miscarriage of justice related to jury instruction, new trials were ordered. However, their appeals regarding separate torture charges related to assaults on Breton and Triscaru were dismissed.
The case reflects a tragic event from January 24, 2016, and highlights issues surrounding the handling of the initial trial and the judicial process involved in serious criminal cases. Sentencing for the three men will occur at a later date, and the complexity of the case remains a significant focus for legal scrutiny.