Courts Decide Three Murder Cases

May 15, 2026, 14:23
AustraliaSociety

Introduction

Courts in three countries decided some important cases about killing people.

Main Body

In New Zealand, two men, Stefan and Ethan, killed a man. They also started a fire. Stefan said he was scared, but the court said he was guilty. In Canada, two women, Brandy and Becky, killed a child. They also hurt two other children. The judge used phone messages and doctor reports to find them guilty. In Australia, a police officer died in a car crash. Two people, Skye and Kari, are in trouble. The judge says they must have two separate trials to make the facts clear.

Conclusion

These people will now get their punishments or go to more trials.

Learning

🔍 Spotting the 'Past' Pattern

Look at these words from the story:

  • killed
  • started
  • used

The Secret: When we talk about things that already happened, we often just add -ed to the end of the action word.

Example: Kill → Killed Start → Started Use → Used

⚖️ Words for 'Wrong' and 'Right'

In this text, the author uses specific words to describe the court's decision:

  • Guilty →\rightarrow You did the bad thing.
  • Punishments →\rightarrow The penalty for doing a bad thing.
  • Trial →\rightarrow The meeting to decide if someone is guilty.

🌍 Who? Where?

Notice how the text organizes people and places:

  • New Zealand →\rightarrow Stefan and Ethan
  • Canada →\rightarrow Brandy and Becky
  • Australia →\rightarrow Skye and Kari

Vocabulary Learning

court
A place where a judge decides legal cases.
Example:The court heard the evidence.
court (n.)
a place where judges hear cases
Example:The court will decide the case tomorrow.
judge
A person who decides cases in a court.
Example:The judge listened to both sides.
judge (n.)
a person who decides a case in court
Example:The judge listened to both sides.
police
People who keep the law and protect safety.
Example:The police arrived at the scene.
case (n.)
an instance of a crime or legal matter
Example:This case involves a murder.
car
A vehicle that runs on roads.
Example:He drove his car to work.
murder (n.)
the illegal killing of a person
Example:He was charged with murder.
fire
A blaze that burns.
Example:The fire started in the kitchen.
decide (v.)
to make a choice or judgment
Example:The court will decide the outcome.
hurt
To cause pain or injury.
Example:She hurt her arm when she fell.
guilty (adj.)
found to have committed a crime
Example:He was found guilty.
guilty
Responsible for a wrongdoing.
Example:The court found him guilty.
fire (n.)
a blaze that burns
Example:They started a fire.
scared
Feeling fear.
Example:He was scared of the dark.
hurt (v.)
to cause pain or injury
Example:The child was hurt.
child
A young person.
Example:The child played with toys.
child (n.)
a young human being
Example:A child was killed.
people
Human beings.
Example:Many people came to the event.
police (n.)
law enforcement officers
Example:Police investigated the crash.
trial
A legal hearing where evidence is presented.
Example:The trial lasted three days.
officer (n.)
a person in charge of police duties
Example:A police officer died.
facts
True information.
Example:The evidence showed the facts.
crash (n.)
an accident involving a vehicle
Example:The car crash caused injuries.
clear
Easy to understand.
Example:The instructions were clear.
separate (adj.)
not joined or connected
Example:They need two separate trials.
punishment
A penalty for wrongdoing.
Example:He received a punishment for the crime.
trial (n.)
a legal hearing to decide a case
Example:The trial will last for weeks.
go
To move or travel.
Example:They will go to court.
punishment (n.)
a penalty for wrongdoing
Example:They will receive punishment.
scared (adj.)
feeling fear
Example:He was scared during the hearing.
new (adj.)
recently discovered
Example:New Zealand is a country.
zealand (n.)
a country in Oceania
Example:New Zealand is known for its scenery.
canada (n.)
a country in North America
Example:Canada has many provinces.
women (n.)
adult female humans
Example:Two women were arrested.
men (n.)
adult male humans
Example:Two men were charged.
people (n.)
human beings
Example:These people will face trials.
trouble (n.)
a difficult situation
Example:They are in trouble.
facts (n.)
pieces of information that are true
Example:The facts were presented.
clear (adj.)
easy to understand
Example:The judge made the facts clear.
go (v.)
to move from one place to another
Example:They will go to court.
find (v.)
to discover
Example:The judge will find them guilty.