Zachery Norton, 30, has been refused bail by the ACT Supreme Court. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article contains graphic content.
An alleged attempted killer accused of slashing a man with a machete has been refused bail, while his lawyers flagged that he would argue self-defence at trial.
Zachery Norton is accused of attacking the man on 4 September 2024 while the latter was going to the toilet in a cardboard box in a unit in Wanniassa where Norton had been squatting.
He allegedly severed three of the man’s fingers and almost severed his hand during the attack.
The 30-year-old was charged with attempted murder and has remained in custody since he was arrested in November 2024.
He then applied for bail again in the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday (5 June), which was opposed by the prosecution.
The court heard his alleged victim’s fingers and hand were able to be reattached after the incident.
Norton’s lawyer, Sam Lynch from the Aboriginal Legal Service, argued that the issue of self-defence was raised regarding the allegations, but prosecutor Marcus Dyason said he disagreed that it was raised and that it would become a matter for trial.
Due to the seriousness of the charge, Norton had to establish special or exceptional circumstances existed in his case for him to be granted bail.
His lawyer argued he had to care for his mother, who was in poor health, and there was a delay as a trial date may not be allocated until the second half of 2026.
When it came to the delay, Chief Justice Lucy McCallum said the court had taken steps to address the constraints it was operating under and she was optimistic matters could be listed for trial in a reasonable time, providing they were ready to proceed in that way.
She said at this point she was not satisfied that special or exceptional circumstances had been established and refused bail.
Norton is scheduled to face court again on 1 July for an arraignment.
"that nuclear accounts for more energy production than renewables." Maybe it hasn't "dawned" on him… View