Man accused of murdering friend with machete

Christopher Reyes Gonzaga, 45, is on trial for allegedly murdering his friend Gregory Tan, 45, with a machete in an empty Melbourne home in 2024. During the attack, Gonzaga allegedly struck Tan at least 39 times, causing severe injuries including cuts to the jugular, carotid artery, and skull, according to prosecutors. One of these cuts extended from Tan's left ear to his mouth, while his right hand was partially severed, allegedly in a defensive wound.

Gonzaga pleaded not guilty to the murder, claiming self-defense and that Tan had threatened him with a screwdriver. The pair had a history of drug use together, jurors were informed. After the murder, Gonzaga allegedly set two fires in the house, threw the machete into a drain, and called emergency services. He was later arrested and captured on CCTV crouching down behind a car, without visible injuries to his face.

Prosecutors allege Gonzaga confessed to stabbing Tan and claimed they had killed the previous homeowner by overdosing her to rob her. Gonzaga's barrister will present his opening remarks to the jury on Tuesday.