Murder trial begins 20 years after Wangoom man vanished over rent dispute
Steven Johnson faces trial in the Supreme Court. The case concerns the 2006 disappearance of Christopher Jarvis. Johnson had rented property to Jarvis.
Steven Johnson's trial began on Wednesday in Warrnambool. He is charged with the murder of Christopher Jarvis.
Jarvis has been missing since June 13, 2006. Jarvis was 38 years old.
He left his Wangoom home to work as a truck driver at a south-west freight company. Prosecutors say Johnson and another man had a dispute with Jarvis.
The dispute was over unpaid rent of $2,210. Johnson allegedly told the other man "the prick has to go", referencing Jarvis, before he disappeared.
Prosecutors say Johnson hit Jarvis in the head and held him back. Then he drove Jarvis to Framlingham Forest.
The defence denies Johnson did this. They say the case relies too much on a single witness.
Johnson had filed for a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing. He wanted to pursue the rent claim through the legal system.
- June 13, 2006
- Disappearance date
- $2,210
- Rent owed
- Warrnambool Supreme Court
- Trial location
- 20 years between disappearance and trial
- Years elapsed
Why it mattersThis cold case trial is important. It tests whether police and prosecutors can prove a crime from a disappearance. The victim's body has never been found.
AustraliaThe case affects families and communities in western Victoria who remember Jarvis' disappearance and may finally learn what happened to him.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
