After being stabbed through the heart during a botched burglary at his south-west Sydney home, a bloodied man desperately clung to life as he told his mother, “I’m dying, Mum,” a court has told.
Three men and two women are on trial, accused of playing a role in the alleged murder of Luke Lembryk.
Luke Lembryk, 29, died after being stabbed through the heart in the early hours of December 7, 2019, at his Condell Park apartment.
Joseph Nehme, Bilal Rahim, Viliami Taufahema, Lisa Anne Price and Sherene Rizk are on trial for their alleged roles in Mr Lembryk’s murder.
On the opening day of their trial on Tuesday, the court learned that the 29-year-old had matched Ms Price via Tinder months earlier in August 2019.
Luke Lembryk, 29, (pictured) was staying with his mother in Condell Park when he was reportedly killed
It is alleged that Mrs. Price and another woman went to the unit where they did all three lines of cocaine and drank.
“During the conversation, the deceased produced what could be called a wad of cash,” Crown prosecutor Chris Taylor told the court on Tuesday.
The Crown has alleged that Mr Lembryk showed off stacks of around $10,000 to $15,000 and the women saw even more money in a blazer on the back of his door.
Mrs. Price left the room while Mr. Lembryk and the other woman had sex, the court heard.
From August to September, Mrs Price told the other woman to ‘do this man over’, the Crown claimed.
The court heard that the police, meanwhile, lawfully intercepted Mr. Nehme’s phone in December 2019.
The court heard him say to Mr. Taufahema in one conversation, “What are we going to do? I need money, mate. I am broke.’
On the evening of December 6, Mr Nehme was with Mrs Price at Mrs Rizk’s residence in south Sydney.
The prosecution said they would rely on calls from Mr Nehme – in which Ms Price and Ms Rizk can be heard in the background – about Mr Lembryk’s robbery.
The court heard that in a police interrogation, Ms. Rizk admitted to sticking a knife on Mr. Nehme.
At around 1:45 AM, Mr. Nehme, Mr. Taufahema and Mr. Rahim met near Mr. Lembryk’s house.
It is alleged that police also intercepted a phone call in which Ms Price – who had previously been in the apartment – gave a detailed description and led Mr Nehme to the unit.
Paramedics arrived on the scene the morning after Luke Lembryk was stabbed at his mother’s home in Condell Park in western Sydney in December 2019
Sherene Rizk (pictured outside the NSW Supreme Court) has pleaded not guilty to her alleged role in the murder of Luke Lembryk
It is alleged that Mr. Nehme and Mr. Taufahema entered through a window in the living room when the fatal confrontation took place.
“In the property, the deceased was confronted and stabbed a number of times,” Taylor told the court.
Mr. Nehme, Mr. Rahim, Mr. Taufahema and Ms. Price have all pleaded not guilty to murder.
Mr Rahim has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of assault with intent to rob in company.
Ms. Rizk has pleaded not guilty to the felony of complicity in murder.
Mr. Taufahema has pleaded guilty to burglary in company with intent to steal in company.
Ms Price and Mr Rahim have pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
Mr Lembryk’s mother, who has since passed away due to an unrelated illness, was awakened by a loud banging and as she slowly emerged from her bedroom she was punched several times and thrown against a wall.
She saw her son bent over, covered in blood and holding his belly.
When he collapsed, the court heard him tell her, “I’m dying, Mom. I’m dying.’
Mr. Lembryk died as a result of the stab wound that pierced his heart.
The trial before Judge Richard Button continues.
