Overview

• Danny Zayat pleaded not guilty as a NSW Supreme Court jury trial began over the May 26, 2023 death of Tatiana Dokhotaru in a Liverpool high-rise.
• Jurors heard an 89-second triple-0 call in which Ms Dokhotaru said her ex-partner was "trying to kill me" and "stealing my money."
• Prosecutors allege Mr Zayat seized her phone, ended the call and threw it from the 22nd-floor balcony, with the device never recovered, and say CCTV will show the phone falling and him leaving with cash.
• A pathologist told the court the direct cause of death was blunt force head injury, while substances in her blood, including alcohol, could not be excluded as having hastened it.
• The Crown argues he intended to kill or cause really serious harm and has laid an alternative manslaughter charge, while the defence disputes intent; prosecutors also allege he stole cash to address outstanding fines.