{
  "id": 10438235,
  "title": "Trial begins for man accused of hacking friend to death with machete",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/trial-begins-for-man-accused-of-hacking-friend-to-death-with-machete",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-28T11:41:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-28/deer-park-machete-murder-trial-victorian-supreme-court/107205524"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Christopher Reyes Gonzaga, 45, is on trial for allegedly hacking his friend, Gregory Tan, 45, to death with a machete in an empty Melbourne home in 2024. The trial commenced on Monday when a jury witnessed security camera footage of yells and thumping noises emanating from a Deer Park residence in the early hours of April 15. Gonzaga's barrister will deliver his opening remarks to the jury on Tuesday. Prosecutors allege that Gonzaga struck Tan at least 39 times, causing severe injuries including a slashed jugular, carotid artery, and partially severed right hand. The prosecution claims this was a defensive wound. Gonzaga was arrested after allegedly lighting two fires in the home and leaving the machete in a drain, then calling Triple Zero (000) to report the blaze. He has pleaded not guilty to murder, initially claiming self-defense. Gonzaga and Tan were close friends, often using drugs together, and witnesses claimed they had seen them consuming substances multiple times. Prosecutors also allege Gonzaga set two fires inside the home following the murder before fleeing the scene.",
  "summary": "A man accused of hacking his friend to death with a machete in Melbourne's west two years ago hit his victim at least 39 times, the Victorian Supreme Court has heard.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}