Man on trial for 2007 birthday party stabbing claims he was not the killer

Kimlong Rim, 38, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 21-year-old Thea Kheav, who died after a stabbing at an 18th birthday celebration in Parafield Gardens, Adelaide, in December 2007. Prosecutor Kos Lesses told the jury that Rim was among four men who, after an initial argument, returned in a convoy armed with bottles, planks and a machete-type knife to exact "payback" on one of the Kheav brothers. The assault unfolded in two phases: Kheav was first struck with a bottle, then, while trying to flee, was pulled down, kicked, punched and finally stabbed in the chest.

The weapon was never recovered. Defense barrister Ryan Williams SC conceded Rim’s attendance and “deplorable behaviour” but maintained that the evidence does not prove he was the murderer. Justice Rachael Gray urged the 14-person jury to keep an open mind until deliberations. The trial is slated to continue for three weeks.