Joseph Vekony and Steve Fabriczy face trial in the ACT Supreme Court for the cold case murder of Irma Palisics, a 72-year-old grandmother killed at her McKellar home in 1999. The case lay unsolved for more than two decades before advances in forensic analysis led to the identification of both men as suspects.
The joint trial, expected to run for approximately eight weeks, is one of the most significant cold case prosecutions in Australian Capital Territory history. It demonstrates the growing power of modern forensic techniques — including DNA analysis and familial searching — to resolve historical crimes.
Details of the alleged motive and the evidence linking the defendants to the crime are expected to emerge during the course of proceedings. Trial commenced in February 2026.
All information is provided for public interest only and does not constitute legal advice. Dates and proceedings are subject to change — verify with official court sources before travel or attendance.