A magistrate has refused a career criminal bail for fear he will intimidate witnesses to an alleged aggravated burglary, which police say left a man hospitalised with a stab wound.
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But Matthew Massey, who has spent more than two decades behind bars, says he will not give up his fight for liberty.
On Friday, he told Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter he wanted to make another application for bail in 48 hours and, if refused again, would ultimately apply in the ACT Supreme Court.
The 44-year-old represented himself in his latest bail application, and told Ms Hunter last Thursday allegations he burgled a Flynn house and stabbed an occupant in his sleep "like some weak ..." were lies.
Massey questioned why he would have gone into the house on September 25 this year "like an idiot" without a balaclava and left the alleged victim with only a 3-centimetre stab wound.
"Look at the size of me," Massey said.
"I don't use knives, I don't muck around like that and [the police] know that.
"[Police documents state] I'm lunging at him with a knife over and over [and the alleged victim only has one stab wound]."
A police informant told the ACT Magistrates Court Massey stole between $5000 and $8000 out of a wallet at the Flynn house, but Massey questioned whether that much cash could fit in a wallet.
The informant said officers knew Massey to act as "the muscle" for his alleged victim and "conduct standover tactics" on the man's behalf.
She said that on October 15 - the day after Massey was arrested - the 44-year-old's cellmate made phone calls about the alleged aggravated burglary.
The informant said the cellmate relayed that Massey's alleged victim should drop the case against him and fork out money to assist with his legal fees.
On Friday, Massey maintained his alleged victim was working for police, who were "desperate" to hit him with "sneaky" and "cheeky" charges.
He has pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary, theft, and intentionally wounding.
Massey urged the magistrate to take into account the alleged witnesses' criminal histories and said "they can't be trusted". He said he would be more than happy to steer clear of them if she granted him bail.
But the magistrate said the phone calls made by Massey's cellmate were of particular concern.
She noted Massey was adamant "this is a load of rubbish", but said the likelihood of him interfering with and intimidating witnesses would be too great if she granted him bail.
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Ms Hunter formally refused Massey bail. He asked that she "lock [him] in" for another bail application in 48 hours, but she said it would have to be listed for next Wednesday.
Massey said if he exhausted his three attempts at getting bail in the ACT Magistrates Court, he intended to make an application in the ACT Supreme Court.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
