Australian courts proceed with axe murder and machete attack cases

In separate legal developments in Australia, court proceedings have continued for two violent assault cases.

In Armidale Local Court, Judge Kirralee Perry refused an application to discharge murder and assault charges against 26-year-old Ahwen Kohn. Kohn is accused of striking a man with an axe at an Ebor campground in March 2026 and subsequently assaulting a woman. Defense counsel argued that prosecutors failed to certify the charges within the required six-month window, but the Director of Public Prosecutions stated the timeframe was consumed by compiling the evidence bundle.

In the ACT Supreme Court, Zachery Norton pleaded guilty to recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm, rather than the initial attempted murder charge, regarding a September 2024 machete attack in Wanniassa. Norton admitted to the charge on the grounds of “excessive self defence.” The attack resulted in a victim losing three fingers, which surgeons were later able to reattach. Prosecutors withdrew the attempted murder charge following the plea. Two co-accused individuals are also facing charges related to the incident.