6 Oct 2005

Nauru weightlifter on murder charge in Australian trial

11:11 am on 6 October 2005

A trial has opened in Australia of a former Nauruan Olympic weightlifter, Quincy Detenamo, who is accused of killing a Melbourne prostitute last year.

Quincy Detenamo, who represented Nauru at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, appeared in the Victorian Supreme Court and pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution says the 26-year-old man picked up Grace Ilardi, drove her to a laneway, assaulted her and strangled her.

The defence lawyer says the woman may have died from a drug overdose.

The jury heard Detenamo was in Melbourne to compete in a weightlifting event and staying with family.