May 13th 2024.
The courtroom was filled with tension as the trial for the murder of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten began. The accused, Justin Laurens Stein, 33, had a history of drug addiction and had previously served time in jail. Despite this, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of killing the young schoolgirl on or around January 12, 2022 in Mount Wilson, a town in the Blue Mountains near Sydney.
As the jury listened intently, the prosecution revealed that Stein had a long-standing relationship with Charlise's mother, Kallista Mutten. The two had met while serving their separate sentences in prison. Mutten, who was in jail for dangerous driving that caused a death, had entrusted her daughter's care to her grandparents who lived in Tweed Heads. Charlise had flown to Sydney on December 21, 2021 to spend the holiday season with her mother and Stein.
However, tragedy struck when Charlise was reported missing by her mother on January 14. Four days later, her body was found by police concealed in a barrel on the banks of the Colo River. She had been shot twice, once in the face and once in her lower back. The prosecution's case was that Stein had been the one to pull the trigger.
As the trial unfolded, it was revealed that Stein had a history of drug-related offenses and was currently undergoing treatment for heroin addiction. He was also taking medication for schizophrenia. The prosecution also informed the jury that prior to Charlise's death, Stein and Mutten had committed a break-in together and had stolen two firearms, one of which was believed to be the weapon used in Charlise's murder.
The jury was reminded by Justice Helen Wilson to approach the evidence with impartiality, despite the confronting nature of the case. She acknowledged that the death of a child can be particularly difficult to hear about, but urged the jury to remain unbiased in their deliberations.
The trial was expected to last for six weeks, during which time the jury would hear the full extent of the prosecution's case against Stein. It was a harrowing and emotional case, but the truth needed to be uncovered and justice needed to be served for young Charlise.
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