News

Murder trial jury reaches verdict

By McPherson Media Group

Jul 15, 2025

Charlie Gander’s body was found in a car on fire at the Loch West Rd intersection at Bunbartha on Christmas Eve in 2022. Photo by Megan Fisher

A Supreme Court jury has decided the fate of three people who were accused of murdering a man at Bunbartha.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Danny Clarke, 41, of Shepparton, Dimitri D’Elio, 27, of Mooroopna, and Kylie Stott, 40, of Shepparton, were each charged with murder, kidnapping and arson over the death of 19-year-old Benalla man Charlie Gander, whose body was found in a burnt car on December 24, 2022.

The jury found D’Elio guilty of murder, kidnapping and arson.

They found Stott guilty of manslaughter and kidnapping, and not guilty of murder or arson.

They found Clarke guilty of kidnapping, and not guilty of murder, manslaughter or arson.

The prosecution alleged the trio entered into an agreement, arrangement or understanding to kidnap and kill Mr Gander, before burning his body in a car they set fire to on a remote road at Bunbartha.

The trio had all pleaded not guilty to the charges and were on trial in the Supreme Court for 29 days from Thursday, May 29 to Thursday, July 10.

Justice Michael Croucher delivered his final instructions to the jury on Wednesday, July 9 and Thursday, July 10.

The foreperson of the 12-member jury delivered the verdict in the Melbourne courtroom at about 4pm on Tuesday, July 15.

All three have been remanded in custody and will be back before the court later in July for a mention to set a date for a future plea hearing.