Canberra attempted murder trial over alleged machete attack abandoned

An attempted murder trial in Canberra has been called off after an accused man pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Zachery Norton, 32, faces accusations of seriously injuring a man with a machete in September 2024. He remains in custody, with bail pending sentencing.

The jury in the trial over the alleged attempted murder in Canberra's south was dismissed after two of the three accused entered pleas to lesser charges. The case against the third accused was also dropped. Norton was arrested in November 2024 and charged with using a machete to sever three of his victim's fingers, causing multiple deep cuts and fractures during an altercation at a home in Wanniassa.

Initially, a jury had been selected, and a trial was scheduled to begin. However, the prosecution presented a new agreed statement of facts at the last minute, leading to the dismissed trial. Norton pleaded guilty to a new charge of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm. Kayla Scott, 29, and Paul New, 36, were also charged but face different allegations. Scott has pleaded not guilty to assisting Norton to avoid apprehension. Justice Jon White dismissed the jury and expressed gratitude for their service.

Norton's lawyer, James Sabharwal, informed the court that his client would be seeking bail before sentencing. Scott remains on bail and will face another trial, with dates likely set later in the year.