Father and son trial opens in Adelaide stabbing death over drugs
Brian Slann, 54, and his son Liam Slann, 29, stand trial for allegedly murdering 21-year-old William Holdback.
A murder trial has opened in Adelaide over the death of 21-year-old William Holdback in April 2024. Prosecutors allege Holdback met Brian and Liam Slann in Welland after arranging through a messaging app to buy or collect drugs.
The prosecutor told the jury Holdback smashed the rear window of their car and ran, but was chased down and stabbed repeatedly. Prosecutor Nicola Moore said Liam Slann stabbed Holdback while his father shouted directions.
CCTV allegedly captured Liam saying he would stab Holdback, with Brian then yelling "Stab him Liam." Holdback died at the scene with 10 stab wounds to his chest, shoulder, back and wrists.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to murder, though Liam has admitted to manslaughter. The trial continues before a 14-member jury.
- 10 to chest, shoulder, back and wrists
- Stab wounds
- April 10, 2024, around 1:20am
- Date and time
- Welland, Adelaide's inner north-west
- Location
- 14 members
- Jury size
Why it mattersThe case reveals tensions around drug dealing and the risks of violent confrontation in transactions that go wrong.
AustraliaA major South Australian trial into a death that occurred in Adelaide's inner north-west over a year ago is now reaching the courtroom.
