Bar Beach shooting witness claims memory loss in murder hearing
A witness claimed memory loss during a committal hearing, despite video showing him holding firearms.
A committal hearing into the Bar Beach shooting revealed that a key witness failed to answer almost any question. Ja'Rell Warren De Jong, 19, was in the back seat of a stolen Volvo when two men in the front are accused of murdering Ekampreet Singh Sahni in a car park on Memorial Drive on April 23 last year at 11.40pm.
Videos showed him holding a silver revolver and a rifle. Ja'Rell Warren De Jong said he could not remember almost anything about that night or the videos.
He answered variations of "don't recall" or "can't remember" more than 50 times. The two accused, Decklen Deaves-Thornton, 22, and Jack Kennedy, 25, are expected to be committed to NSW Supreme Court for trial next week.
Why it mattersWitness memory loss could complicate the prosecution's case and delay justice for Ekampreet's family, who watched the hearing.
AustraliaHighlights challenges in Newcastle's serious crime investigations when key witnesses prove unable or unwilling to provide evidence.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 d ago
