UPDATE OCTOBER 2019 : Over 11 1/2 years later, Jock remains in prison, despite having won parole in September 2019.
Update #6 ( July 8 ) : Charles Miranda, Dad’s bid to free murder charge son Jock Palfreeman, The Daily Telegraph, July 8, 2008
Update #5 ( March 24 ) : Charles Miranda, New evidence in Australian’s murder case, The Daily Telegraph, March 24, 2008
Update #4 ( January 29 ) : Just stumbled upon an article from The Frontier Times (Bulgaria’s English language newspaper) by Stefan Stefanov, ‘Aussie Go Hero or Thug?’, January 10–February 10, 2008 edition. Stefanov writes: “Experts investigating the murder and attempted murder said that the knife penetrated the victim’s back straight through to the heart – a professional stab”; the only source (outside of commentary: see Vesselin Petrunov, January 8) that I’m aware of for this claim. Stefanov also writes “Meanwhile, it was leaked to the press that Mr Palfreeman had previously been charged for attempted murder back home in Australia”, which is false. Palfreeman has never been charged with attempted murder; what happened was that a man by the name of James Atack and another man simply called ‘Matt’ went to a local paper (January 3) with allegations that Palfreeman had stabbed them at a party. Jock was never charged for the alleged crime, apparently for lack of evidence.
Update #3 ( January 20 ) : Jock Palfreeman “enjoying cult-like status on the Internet”, bearing “striking resemblance to actor Matt Damon” and “now the subject of at least four websites and … receiving movie-star attention” says Marnie O’Neill of The Daily Telegraph.
Update #2 ( January 8 ) : Accused Aussie refused bail in Bulgaria, says AAP. news.com.au, on the other hand, appears to have put Charles Miranda on the case, who claims that Palfreeman may plead insanity…
Update #1 ( January 4 ) : Two more articles in the press, one in The Daily Terror by Gemma Jones, the other in the Sydney Morning Herald by Malcolm Brown. Jones reports a Facebook page has been set up by friends of Jock’s called ‘Jock Palfreeman is Not Guilty’ [http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16826320034], attracting 60 (now almost 90) friends; some gossip regarding Jock’s love life; and reiterates the claims made yesterday in an earlier article by herself and another hack; viz, that James Atack and someone called Matt had “almost died” in a similar attack by Jock at a party in 2004, and that the pair “later named Palfreeman as the person who stabbed them. But police did not lay charges because of a lack of evidence” (Bulgaria accused’s pals rally, January 4). Brown (Father arrives to visit jailed son, January 4) writes that Jock’s father has arrived in Sofia, and that DFAT is keeping a close eye on the case. Interestingly, Brown also writes:
In Sydney, James Atack, of Lane Cove North, who was quoted in The Daily Telegraph yesterday saying that Palfreeman had stabbed him and another youth at a party in Chatswood in 2004, confirmed to the Herald yesterday he had been quoted correctly and it was true. In his quoted statement, he said he had complained to the police but the police had not laid charges through lack of evidence. Questioned by the Herald, Mr Atack said: “I am not quite comfortable talking about this. Me and my friend agreed we would talk to each other before talking to the press again.”
One (presumably) pseudonymous commenter, on the other hand — Karlos — claims that “Jock was involved in that party, but in regards to the comment about him carrying a knife with him, he actually took the knife off one of the people mentioned in the paper as a victim as that person was threatening his brother”. And in news just to hand, another commenter called grayham writes:
this case so far is complete bullshit. i’m in sofia. jock was with me for christmas and he’s 1 of my best friends. i’ve known him for 18 months. in bulgaria first and then in england. it was self defence. there was a gang beating a gypsy. jock chased them off. they then beat him and my girlfriend. unfortunately i wasn’t there to help as i had left an hour or so before. i wasn’t allowed into court even though jock had asked me to be there. even the judge asked where i was and then told the court that i had said i hardly knew jock anyway, which is the complete opposite of my statement. i’ve given the police names of other people who were there and as yet they have not been contacted.
you would not believe the things the judge has said to jock. she has already made up her mind. as for the one thing that will help, for sure the cctv – which the police have – we have been told so far that it probably won’t be allowed to be shown as evidence.
jock and me have also had problems with racists in the past. if you look slightly alternative over here it’s enough to get you beaten up. carrying a knife here is quite normal. you’re allowed to carry guns if you want. wouldn’t you carry something if everywhere you went you see swastikas and “punks die” grafittied on the walls?
from what i’ve heard jock is lucky to still be alive and didn’t really have any choice.
for all his friends out there i’ve seen him today and yesterday and he’s ok.
can’t believe this chatswood bullshit. if he’s been found innocent that’s the end of it.
he needs his friends’ help and support – glad to see there are so many of you out there.
Speaking of support, somebody called Phil suggests a letter along these lines would be useful if sent to the relevant authorities:
Dear Sir / Madam,
I write concerning Jock Palfreeman, the British serviceman recently arrested over a fatal stabbing in Sofia.
I am most concerned that Jock will not receive a fair trial because the victim’s father is a prominent Bulgarian and all the witnesses are friends of the deceased.
The information we have received from friends in Bulgaria is that Jock was acting in self-defence after trying to help another man who was being attacked by a gang of Nazi/fascist skinheads.
I understand that legal proceedings must have their own process but would appreciate it if you could do anything to address my concerns or direct them to the relevant authorities in Bulgaria.
Yours faithfully…
The address for the Embassy of Bulgaria in Canberra, Australia is below. Details of the address in London, England are available here.
Update : As an apparent result of defending himself and another man from fascist assault, it appears that Jock Palfreeman is in trouble with the Bulgarian police, judiciary and state. As is traditional, the British Army has abandoned Jock (“a phase two recruit with the British Army’s 1st Battalion Infantry Training Centre” according to a report in The Daily Terror) and he has also been denied bail by magistrate Maria Petrova — on the basis of his allegedly violent disposition. According to one report by the ABC, “In a written statement tendered to the court, Mr Freeman [sic] said he had gone to the aid of a gypsy [that is, Rom] who was being attacked”. A plausible scenario, given that Romani are frequently subject to racist attacks, both in Bulgaria and throughout Europe (as is also traditional).
See also : Malcolm Brown, Friends stunned as trip ends in fatal brawl, Sydney Morning Herald, January 2, 2008.
In Australia, the Bulgarian Government has an Embassy in the ACT, and it may be useful to politely inform the Embassy that Jock’s friends in Australia wish to see him receive a fair trial:
- Australian Capital Territory : Embassy of Bulgaria
Street address: 33 Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, Canberra ACT 2600
Postal address: Phillip DC, PO Box 6096, Canberra ACT 2606
Chancery:
Monday – Friday; 9.00 am – 12.30 pm; 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm
tel: 02/ 6286 9711; fax: 02/ 6286 9600
e-mail: [email protected]
Consular section:
Monday – Friday; 9.30 am – 12.00 pm
tel: 02/ 6286 9700; fax: 02/ 6286 9600
e-mail: [email protected]
Somebody called Joe Paul Freeman or (more likely, perhaps) Jock Palfreeman has been arrested in Sofia, Bulgaria over a stabbing incident (Aussie charged with murder after Bulgaria brawl, AAP, SMH, January 1, 2008):
An Australian man has been charged with murder and refused bail after a knife attack in Bulgaria which left one man dead and another badly injured.
Jock Palfreeman, 21, from NSW, made a brief appearance before Sofia City Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and another of attempted murder.
He was arrested last Friday in the Bulgarian capital after allegedly fatally stabbing 20-year-old Andrei Monov, the son of prominent local psychotherapist Hristo Manov, in a street brawl.
Palfreeman is also accused of attempting to murder Antoan Zahariev, 19.
According to a police statement tendered to the court, Palfreeman admitted stabbing the two Bulgarian men but insisted it was in self-defence.
Palfreeman said that while he had been carrying a knife at the time, he only pulled it out to defend himself and two other friends from a group of football hooligans who were attacking another man…
The stabbing appears to have a ‘political’ dimension, as ‘The court heard that Palfreeman was in Bulgaria to visit a friend and had been out drinking with a group of people when they saw a group of men hitting another man and shouting “fascists”‘; Palfreeman also appears to have been a teenage socialist.
TO Sir Samuel: HOW CAN U COMPARE BRAZIL TO BULGARIA? BRAZIL HAS SO MUCH CRIME AND SO MUCH POOR PEOPLE WE DONT. WE ARE NOT EVEN VIOLENT PEOPLE. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WOULD ROB U OR ATTACK U R DRUG ADDICTS AND GYPSIES OR SOMEONE U PROVOKE.
AND YES THOSE GUYS WERE NOT NEO NAZIS, FOR F.SAKE WE DONT EVEN HAVE AS MANY NAZIS AS AUSTRALIA, AMERICA OR EVEN BRITAIN. THE GUYS WERE NORMAL TEENAGERS AND YES IF THEY WERE VIOLENT BELIEVE ME THE MOMENT YOUR FRIEND ATTACK WITH A KNIFE THEY WOULD HAVE SMASHED HIS FACE AND HE WOULD BE IN A HOSPITAL… AS FAR AS IM SEEING JOCK LOOKS FINE WITHOUT EVEN A SCRATCH.
PLEASE BULGARIAN COURTS DO YOUR JOB THIS TIME AND DONT LET HIM GO BACK TO OZ AS U DID WITH THE F.BRITISH GUY MICHAEL…
Jockenspiel, I understand that no amount of convincing will make you believe that that is not Jock in the video… if someone that apparently went to school with Jock cannot see that it is not him then what will a court think? You seem to have a bigger and better quality screen but you have only ever viewed a compressed YouTube video. I have the original footage, uncompressed, but because your screen is better then mine, you must be able to tell the difference. Not to mention you’re dealing with only a minute of footage whereas I have 3hrs in which I can see that Jock wasn’t wearing those clothes and Sam, another friend of mine was. I can also see that Jock is about a foot taller than Sam. Oh and I have footage of Sam with his mask off and, it may just be the quality of my screen but, he does appear to be black.
Jockenspiel, my belief is that it is not Jock in that video. My belief is not based on the quality of the television but the fact 1) that I was on that holiday with them, 2) I own the camera and tapes it was filmed on, 3) I have watched that video hundreds of times, I exported it, compressed it and sent it to Jock while he has been away, 4) Noone who knows and recognises the voices of Jock and Sam has said on this forum that it was Jock (whose voice is only at the end).
The main reason I have said all this is that I heard the footage was used in court. Seeing how the footage is owned by me, I feel responsible for it being on the internet. I feel that, at least on this blog, I have made it as clear as I possibly can that this is not Jock. Jockenspiel, if you are still unconvinced, there is nothing more I can do, I only ask that you do not call me a liar or say my friendship with Jock is clouding my judgements.
You are mistaken.
i say he be knifed in return!
a good ol’ fashion tit for tat
AND JUST FOR RECORD—THERE IS A PIC ABOVE FOR LEVSKI CLUB SOFIA—ACTUALLY CSKA IS THE CLUB WITH THE MOST NAZIS IN BG NOT LEVSKI
Good work taking the youtube video down ash you wouldn’t want that sort of character evidence hanging round for jock’s trial. Funny how hits to the video jumped from 200 to 4000 in a week which means that unfortunately that bizarre snapshot of jock’s behaviour is tattooed in our minds regardless.
Why haven’t the CCTV records been released? Because it is not for the public to decide, but for a court of law.
There may be court corruption in Bulgaria, but that is only for ministers and mutri (mafia), not for common crimes. Maybe Jock’s father could contact all the witnesses (there are many) and offer money to change their testimony, but there are so many one would certainly contact the news or police to inform on him and it would only hurt Jock’s already weak case.
You can bet that this Bulgarian court will observe all the legal requirements in this case, as it is an international case.
The Micheal Shields case is another case where the best justice was served. Every witness (except some idiot who claimed he did the attempted murder, then changed his mind and would not return to Bulgaria to testify) was heard.
Simple fact: Just because he is your country’s child does not mean he is above the law. Bulgaria may be a fun country to party in, but it is no place to act so stupidly.
David Wolf
Dave is right for the CCTV but also I guarantee the family of the victim would not want people to see their son dying, they have the right to keep this from the public eye. I know a guy who was passing by the incident.
Now claiming money will have no consequences in this case is nonsense. It is true, Andey’s father is a prominent Bulgarian psychoanalyst, but his salary as an university lecturer and even private practice is no match to an Australian doctor owning test labs.
If it was during Communist time, this case will be 100% political, but now we have capitalism and everything goes to the highest bidder. Jock’s father already bought a house in Bulgaria, so he may have a permanent address there as a prerequisite for bail. Inexplicable is also how the alcohol probe came back negative, while a number of witnesses saw him having tequila and beer in the bar. Just the opposite, Bulgarians are worried our authorities are subservient to the Westerners, especially since we got into EU. If somebody tries to make this political, it is Jock himself, bringing the beaten Gypsy into the equation.
There was no Gypsy, but there is a very simple explanation for those who insist it is no way Jock would stab somebody for no reason.
Judging from the circumference of his neck he is most probably a steroid abuser. They are known to fall into uncontrollable rage at the smallest provocation. There is also the likeliness of amphetamine/ice use. You see, Jock wanted to be a soldier, maybe even a commando and he tried to mould himself into the image. Ice definitely helps making the tough drills a breeze, as you feel constant energy and no need to sleep. Side effects are you imagine yourself invincible and superman, and when you get into the psycho episode, all are there to get you, you can even swear you see nonexistent people around (like the beaten Gypsy). Mixing with even a little alcohol makes you a walking time-bomb.
You North Shore inhabitants should know better, wasn’t there a survey richer Australian kids are more likely to use forbidden substances, because they have the money for them? Ask your friend first and then start bagging the Bulgarians.
A few points:
Concerning the CCTV footage, barring a leak of some kind, whether or not some, all or none of this will be released to the public is a matter for the courts to decide. On which point, it was claimed earlier that the footage was ruled to be inadmissable as evidence — although whether or not this applies only to Jock’s bail hearing or more generally I don’t know (“…as for the one thing that will help, for sure the cctv – which the police have – we have been told so far that it probably won’t be allowed to be shown as evidence” — grayham, January 4).
As it appears that a) Jock is not featured in the YouTube video and b) he was never charged for the alleged assaults in Sydney, if it’s true that these formed a substantial factor in determining the decision not to grant bail, it appears that this was done on fairly weak grounds. On the other hand, given the seriousness of the accusations being made against him, and having no knowledge of what is normally the outcomes in such cases, perhaps Jock’s chances of being bailed were few in any case.
Of course money is a factor in court cases. All things being equal, the more money, the better the representation, and the better a person is able to mount a defence. But this is only one factor in the case: one which, involving as it does a foreign national accused of murder and attempted murder (especially of the son of a respectable citizen), is bound to be surrounded by controversy. For reasons peculiar both to Bulgaria (its legal system and relationship to the EU) and the case itself (which has an alleged racial and ‘political’ dimension), to me this would seem to be not only unavoidable, but very good reason why — even if it were possible — it’s unlikely that Jock will be able to buy his way out.
Finally, regarding Jock’s mental and physical state at the time of the incident, as nothing has yet been established, as far as I know, with regards his level of alcohol or drug consumption, speculation about his supposed steroid abuse etcetera is just that: speculation.
bulgarian in sydney,
youre making yourself look like an absolute tool. im in sofia with jocks dad, and he has not bought a house. i dont know where you got that from.
jock was a member of the british army, which likes to drug test. a lot. so dont even bother bringing that up.
As far as i know his drug and drink test was strangely negative which i guess is a good thing /not for jock/ as it proves he clearly knew what he was doing.
NOW, EVERYBODY WHO LIKE TO TAKE AN ACTION FOR DEFENCE OF JOCK IS WELCOME TO WRITE TO valsirk(at)gmail.com WORDS ARE NOTHING. ACTION IS EVERYTHING. I’m from the crew jock used to squat with in bristol. Just one message to all ignorant muthafuckers: i hope you will get the taste of violence from east european nazis then you will know how it is! Jock is going to be free for all price i can pay! TO ALL NAZIS: you nearly killed me. Steppin’ where you fear to tread, stop, drop and roll you were dead from the git go! Big mouth fuckers stupid cocksuckers. Are you scared of us now? Always is and always was – foundation made of piss and vinegar. Step to me – I will smear ya – do you think I fear ya? Bullshit. Expect no mercy for you bastards. FREEDOM FOR ALL FIGHTING FOR A BETTER WORLD WITH NO NAZIS, STATE AND REPRESSION.
james atack is definately not a violent person. he’s not involved with gangs or anything. just a very easy-going guy. although he’s not a good friend of mine i know him well enough to say this. he was with schoolmates when this guy stabbed him. fact of the matter is that this bloke sees the need to carry a knife around with him everywhere. these kind of people, for this reason, should not be allowed in society in the off chance they feel the need to use this knife on other people (as we’ve seen twice already). it’s only a matter of time before you get yourself in trouble if you are carrying a knife everywhere.
why are u praising this guy? he is a violent offender and should be locked up, at least for a while. i feel a bit sorry for him that he’s in a foreign country away from family and/or friends but he’s brought it upon himself.
and, it doesn’t count for ANYTHING where this guy went to school. so what that it costs an arm and a leg to go to the school he did. it doesn’t make him a good person. the situation he’s in basically proves it counts for nothing.
And hey Im sorry for what has happened to your friend Jock, Im sure he is a nice person but that night something went wrong in his mind he committed a murder and injured a second person/who could have also be dead/. He needs to face the situation and he needs to pay for it. How otherwise the parents of the murdered kid are going to live??? The killing is on the main and busiest street of Sofia, there were many other witnesses there not only Andis friends but passing by strangers, they all saw what happened…It was three guards who were having trouble holding on to Jock until the police came, he was mad thats all i know from a passing by guy.
The initial drug test is not for steroids, but for the most popular drugs, the same I supposed is in the British Army. As far as the alcohol. It is a common knowledge in Bulgaria, that if you pay, the lab technician leaves your probe open, so the alcohol evaporates and does not match the breath test – so you are off the hook for drink driving.
The thing about the house was reported in the Bulgarian press, though not translated into English.
The diminished responsibility defence could well be roids rage, although it is not that admissible under Bulgarian laws.
I totally agree with you Andy.
Bulgarian_in_Sydney: Online sources in Bulgarian can be translated into English, so if you’re aware of any, I’d appreciate it if you could provide me with details. Regarding the house… I’m not sure how it’s important, but if ash says it’s not the case, I tend to believe him. And regarding drugs and alcohol, again: speculation on your part. Presumably the facts of the matter will be revealed in time.
sydney: I don’t know James Atack. All I know is that he surfaced with allegations shortly after Jock’s case was reported in The Daily Telegraph (January 3), where he accused Jock of stabbing he and another man at a party:
These allegations were repeated in a subsequent article.
Subsequently, the Sydney Morning Herald reported (January 4) that:
I’m not aware of any further media reports regarding Atack’s story, but apparently it was used to support bail being refused Jock. Others dispute Atack’s account, and cast him in the role of aggressor.
I’m not sure whom you’re addressing your question to, but the only ‘praise’ I have for Jock — not knowing him and never having met him — is based on his initial statement (contained in a report by AAP, published in the SMH on January 1) regarding the incident in Sofia, in which he claimed to have come to the aid of a man being attacked by a group of others, and to have used a knife in self-defence when the gang turned on him:
hello sirs, im friend of jock.
he was allways a simple person and looking to live peacefull and without any confusion in great britany, we were working together in a organization that helps homeless people and children in filiphines, so this is the truth about the innerself of our mate jock, none of the events above describe are reflection of what jock is, we all in bristol shared house with this beautifull soul, allways concerned to help the others in need, and organizing even charity parties for help them around the world, let us think in a heart with so many humanity and brotherhood, that i allways found a example and a straight for help the ones in need, that’s the jock that we know in great britany.
allways and forever a big much appreciated for your existence my friend jock.
Shame about what this guy did. I mean, if you really think about it. I too have travelled extensively and when you step outside developed countries it’s a wild world. Life can often be cheap, and things that Western people think are wrong are there for a reason. It is good to see that Jock has support, and that reflects well on him. However, with all the coincidences, and the plea of temporary insanity, the defense must know that there is a body of evidence against him. A very weak defense indeed. I can only think he had gone out had a few beers, perhaps some mood adjusters, and then over reacted. I’ve seen people suddenly change mood quickly and it can be that they don’t see it. I think Jock’s friends should support him and even more so now that things are not so good. Let’s hope you will be there for him when he gets out… I’m sure you will won’t you?
Re Jock Freeman.
Has the world truly gone crazy? Jock is one of the most correctly acting individuals I have met. His attention to charity work here in Bristol and his work with us helping the homeless was tireless. I do not say this because he is my friend, I say it because it is true. I would stake my life that he acted in self defence and hope that I would act with as much honour if someone were being attacked in my presence. I do not hold out much hope that he will receive a fair trial as the tone of media reports seems almost illegally detrimental towards him. The articles I have read thus far sound as though they describe another. The man I know is just and altruistic beyond his years and he gave me much to think about with regard to global, social and personal responsibility. What is this shit about jail for ten years? Are they mad? Are they fascist? I hope not otherwise this world will lose one of the few people concerned with righteousness.
Good luck, Jock.
The Bulgarian boy has been attacked at the back!! I don’t think that if you are self-defending you will stab someone in his back!!! As you all guys say, probably Jock is a good boy and who helps others, but sometimes the people’s insanity is shown in different aspects – Jock did a murder! He is a murderer and he has to be punished! That his 3rd attack over people and it was fatal! He is even not guilty for that…he should feel like he is in hell…
Quote: Palfreeman told the court he had felt the need to carry a knife in Sofia because he had been attacked six times while in Bulgaria.
Well, that doesn’t speak very well for him, now does it?
If someone says that everywhere they go and everyone they meet treats them rudely, maybe it’s not the place or the people, but the thing you carry inside of you.
Jock visited Bulgaria 4 times and was attacked 6. It’s his second known offense with a knife, as well.
Is it just me, or does anyone else see a pattern here?
David Wolf
Smith: What is this shit about jail for ten years? Are they mad? Are they fascist?
Well son, there are penalties for murder, intentional or not, in any civilized country.
I know it was only made illegal in Oz to kill aborigines for sport about 20 years ago, but Bulgaria is a much older and more civilized country.
Even without the murder, running into a group of people swinging your fists is illegal here. My god, it was on a major cross street of the Capitol city, with guards and police easily available. That is simply no way to behave, some peace-lover…
Stabbing a 20 year old boy in the back is simply unforgivable. Oh, sure, you think he should just walk away, maybe with a thank you pat on the back. You are sick.
If this is OK behavior for Australians, please stay away.
David Wolf
Valsirk: Big mouth fuckers stupid cocksuckers. Are you scared of us now? Always is and always was – foundation made of piss and vinegar. Step to me – I will smear ya – do you think I fear ya? Bullshit. Expect no mercy for you bastards. FREEDOM FOR ALL FIGHTING FOR A BETTER WORLD WITH NO NAZIS, STATE AND REPRESSION.
Some ‘better world’, attacking and murdering kids. YEAH!! ANARCHISTS UNITE!!!!
Well, I can just see the spittle flying from your mouth. And you think this tirade is going to help Jock, somehow. If you are the mate he was staying with in Bulgaria it is no wonder he went ballistic. You are obviously a sick individual and I hope you are the next one imprisoned or expelled for your clearly anti-social behavior. See a psychiatrist. You need either more, or fewer drugs.
David Wolf
Actually, let me tell you something. Bulgaria is (and Bulgarians are) relatively non-violent. Sure, there are criminal murders, and, as long as they shoot straight and only shoot each other, no problem. Then there are the family murders, somewhere in the country a father and son get drunk together and someone kills someone over who owns a cow.
I am an American who has lived here for 8 years and I have never felt so safe, even walking at 2-4am through the back streets of Sofia.
Whenever I went to San Francisco (near where I grew up) I always carried a gun in my pocket. No need here. I carry a small knife, it opens beer bottles and slices salami.
Attitude is everything. If you come looking for trouble, you can certainly find it. Even on a ‘big game’ night, with singing drunken [men] walking the streets, they are not looking for trouble, just boys blowing off some steam. OH!!! A BLUE JACKET!!!! OH, A RED… Just cross the street, mind your own business. They don’t care, they just want to sing.
Even if there was a Gypsy, which I doubt, and the Gypsy was being attacked, I’m sure he deserved it. What business was it of Jock’s? Is he a superman or other superhero to right all wrongs?
I bet dollars to donuts he was wrong anyway. Violent idiots must be taken out of society.
David Wolf
CHARITY WORK – WHO CARES FOR HIS CHARITY WORK, THAT MEANS NOTHING GUYS. THE WORLD HAS NOT GONE CRAZY, THERE IS NO DOUBT WHO KILLED THE POOR BOY. IT WAS JOCK AND HE WILL BE PUNISHED.
BULGARIA IN SYDNEY- U CANNOT ANYMORE THAT EASILY PAY AND CHANGE ALCOHOL SAMPLES ESPECIALLY IF U R A FOREIGNER. BELIEVE ME MY GUY /FOREIGNER/ WAS DRIVING DRUNK I TRIED AS A BULGARIAN TO PAY THE COPS, LOTS OF MONEY DIDNT WORK, THEY EVEN CAME WITH ME TO THE HOSPITAL INSIDE THE ROOM… WELL COULD NOT PAY NOTHING. SO I RECKON WHAT THEY MEAN BY HE WAS NOT DRUNK IS HE WAS NOT INSANELY DRUNK, MAYBE JUST A FEW BEERS AND A SHOT OF TEQUILA WHICH NOT MUCH!!!!
her. ash is a her 😛
Yeah maybe self defense initially. Probably he went too far. I mean temporary insanity is a strange plea. I mean how can you be insane for a few minutes. It doesn’t make sense. I mean we’ve all got angry from time to time and maybe had a fight but to use a knife like that is just stretching it too far. I mean let’s say someone breaks into your house you chase them away and then as [they’re] running away you put a knife in them. That’s not self defense really is it. I’d like to think that there will be at least some provocation, but you can see how it will go. 30 witnesses all Bulgarian, a statement from Jock (probably when he was smashed) to the Police saying he actually did it (not even thinking straight). Sobers up the next morning and he’s now in for Murder and probably attempted murder. Add onto that the fact that he has killed a promin[e]nt member of Bulgarian society… Kind of looks bad I guess. I mean maybe it would be like that unknown Bulgarian kid coming over to Australia and say stabbing a famous Dr’s son in the north shore of Sydney… The press would have a field day, people would be screaming for the death penalty. You’d think wouldn[‘]t you. Anyway I suppose we shall just have to see what shakes out and that maybe by showing remorse will get him some time off. But you know how the media circus is over here, let alone over there. If he does get a lighter sentence the public will demand a re-trial. What a stupid waste of 2 lives.
Of course, my explanations what happened are just speculations, only wished to show there is another way of thinking instead blaming the Bulgarians first.
Reading the Bulgarian forum comments I came to what is claimed to be an eyewitness story, which looks credible to me, since the blame is somewhere halfway between the two groups.
After drinking in the bar, Jock’s friend decided to go home, while his girlfriend and Jock were with another Bulgarian going somewhere else. They decided to visit the toilet in another bar and on the way out encountered this group of young Bulgarian. They were not neo-Nazis, but ordinary boys, who unfortunately had something to drink as well. Some were with shaven heads, but this is only the latest fashion around. I have at least 3 guys with shaven heads in my Sydney office, very face-saving when starting to go bald.
Jock attracted their attention, as he had “Gegen Nazis!” written on his jacket and his peculiar haircut. Some remarks were exchanged, but Jock decided to answer back instead of doing the wise thing and walk away. The verbal altercation escalated including the girl, and both parties eventually started swearing at each other. Jock, it seems, has learned how to swear in Bulgarian. More close contact followed, maybe he and the girl were pushed or even kicked in the shins, but neither of the Bulgarians had a weapon or was actually beating them. Again he could retreat at this point as they were 10:1, but Jock decided to play the Superhero (see above). He pulled the knife and shouting very loud “Fascists” attacked them. Andrey himself was 2m tall and you had to be out to kill to stab him straight into the heart.
In other word, the classic drunken brawl when the boys only wanted to have fun and suddenly somebody ends up dead, while most of the participants even did not see or understand what was going on. Similar things happen around Kings Cross and Bondi every day, no Bulgarian speciality.
By the way, since Gypsies are around 70% of Bulgarian prison population, I expect Jock having a very “intimate” knowledge of them. Serves him good, hope this will clear his head of the idealistic bullshit.
On Jock’s mental state and legal defence:
It was reported (January 8, news.com.au) that “THE Australian man accused of stabbing a Bulgarian university student to death on a street in the Eastern European nation’s capital, Sofia, MIGHT mount a defence of temporary insanity as police will today release CCTV footage of the clash”. Further:
Three points:
1) Palfreeman has not plead “temporary insanity”;
2) The case has yet to go to court;
3) Police have not released the CCTV footage to the public, and appear not to have released it to the defence either.
On the attack itself:
As yet, no details regarding it have been released to the public by authorities. To be precise: nothing specific has been reported by the media. Whether or not Jock stabbed someone in the front or back, once or twice, is unknown at this stage.
David:
It’s you.
A very tendentious line of argument. It could be the case that Jock had a reasonable expectation of being attacked, one which does not imply that he is of poor character. For example, in some photos, Jock appears to be wearing a mohawk. As grayham previously asked: “wouldn’t you carry something if everywhere you went you see swastikas and “punks die” grafittied on the walls?” An example of the approach of some Bulgarian neo-Nazis to their presumed opposition is contained in the following video:
Here is another:
See above.
No, it is not. This is the first time Jock has been charged for such an offence.
By that logic, and reversing your prejudice against Gypsies, I can say with equal certainty that if Jock stabbed someone, I’m sure he deserved it.
PS. Ooops. Sorry ash!
“Even if there was a Gypsy, which I doubt, and the Gypsy was being attacked, I’m sure he deserved it.” David Wolf
I know absolutely nothing about this incident, but in all this discussion this is my favorite sentence so far. “I’m sure he deserved it.” Just let it all hang out there, David.
wtf?!?
so in Australia there are no nazis???
cooome ooon!!!
noone said that we don’t have nazis…sure we do! but Andrey WASN’T SKINHEAD!!!
ok???
these videos???
what?
i don’t understand why you put them???
i was at the Exploited concert, but i wasn’t attacked!
@ndy, i just don’t understand what are you trying to proof and to say?!?
Just my experience, bro. I beat up a Gypsy once who was trying to rob me. I kicked the knife out of his hand and left him a few lessons that I hope made him rethink his profession. I’ve been robbed by Gypsies two other times, with not such a favorable outcome.
In no way could I imagine a group of teens beating a Gypsy on a major street corner for no reason, nor could I imagine what a Gypsy was doing on a high street like Maria Louisa at that time of night unless he was looking for trouble, it just don’t happen, hence, ‘He must have deserved it’.
Get off your high horse.
David Wolf
friend:
1) Yes, there are “nazis” in Australia. In fact, my blog is one of the principal sources on their antics here locally.
2) I don’t know if Andrey was a skinhead — that is, bonehead — or not. (Skinheads are anti-racist; boneheads are racists who ape skinhead fashion.) Let’s assume that he wasn’t a bonehead. But it appears that — according to Jock anyway — Andrey was part of a gang that was attacking a Gypsy, possibly a group of football hooligans.
3) The videos constitute evidence that 1) there are neo-Nazis in Sofia and 2) they are responsible for violent attacks upon others, such as (alleged) anarchists and punks. In other words, given that Jock is punky-looking — and according to Bulgarian_in_Sydney, quoting an anonymous source, Jock had the slogan ‘Gegen Nazis’ on his clothing — it’s a credible proposition that he was attacked in the past. In which case, carrying a knife may have been a reasonable precaution on his part.
4) That you attended The Exploited gig and weren’t attacked is not relevant: the fact is, a number of other people were, by an organised neo-Nazi contingent, and as a result were hospitalised with serious injuries.
Oh this is getting real funny guys – first Bulgaria in Sydney – good one, i like everything u said above.
About the quote for the gypsy YES HE PROBABLY DESERVED IT BUT IM SURE THERE WAS NOT GYPSIES AT THAT PLACE AND THAT TIME. IF THERE WAS A GYPSY BELIEVE ME WHO WOULD NOT BE ALONE BUT HAVE ANOTHER 2O MATES AROUND THE CORNER. I HAVE BEEN A WITNESS WHERE ONE GYPSY WAS ATTACKED AND THEN HIS MATES CAME WITH BROKEN BOTTLES GOING TO KILL THE GUYS WHO ATTACKED THE GYPSY… ANYWAY ITS NOT THE POINT. AND YES I HOPE JOCK BECOMES REAL INTIMATE WITH THE GYPSIES AND AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER STOPS PREACHING SOME WESTERN BULLSHIT.
PUNKS, METALS, SKINHEADS THEY R ALL FUNNY PEOPLE, KINDA LOST SOULS WHO JUST LIKE TO DRINK BEER AND FIGHT WITH EACH OTHER!!!!
ANDY REST IN PEACE AND HELP FROM ABOVE FOR JUSTICE…
X
@ndy, i told you to stop calling Andrey nazi, bonehead, hooligan…etc.
I just don’t give a shit about your skinhead-bonehead-punk-shit stories…really!
Of course there are nazis in Sofia…not only there…but we are not talking about nazis in Sofia, don’t we???
We are talking about how your Jock KILLED Andrey!!!
I don’t care if he looks like punk, junk or whatever…he is a MURDERER!
Andrey wasn’t nazi and the fact that “Jock had the slogan ‘Gegen Nazis’” is not important!!!
i just don’t know how many times i must explain that Andrey WASN’T nazi, skinhead, bonehead, punk or something!!!
HE WAS THE BEST FRIEND EVER!!!
Rest In Peace, Andi!
We’ll never forget you!!!
Boneheads.
I am from Bulgaria and I knew Andrey Monov- I think I can prove that he was aggressive and racist. Could anyone give me details about how can I contact Jock’s parents. Only the moderator of that forum will see my email, so contact him first.
Hey anti friend – look at the pictures, look at Andrey, come on he is not nazis. You can prove he was aggressive and racist? Very interesting, i reckon there is not a single person on this planet who is not racist in some way or aggressive. Plus we bulgarians are all a little bit racist and so what, there is nothing wrong in it, black people are racists towards a lot of whites and so what? Who cares what u can prove, that doesnt justifies a killing. We live in a free world and if we chose to be racist we can be as long as we dont go overboard and start killing and abusing people.
by the way why do u think anyone know what gegen nazis means, i doubt the boys looked at jock and read some shit in german and thought oh, lets beat him up hahaha that is a joke right? u cant believe this shit hahaha
vik:
The phrase ‘Gegen Nazis’ is fairly widely known; certainly among the far right. Further, it’s usually accompanied by an image. Such as this:
I can prove that Andrey threatened some people around… And that he really hated the gypsies and the jews… He was a person, aggressive, liked to threaten, to bully around with or without reason. If I say something more, I will have serious problems in Bulgaria, because Andrey’s father is NOT John Q. public in Bulgaria and could cause me a lot of troubles…
Ha, ha, this breed seems pretty aggressive, too, look at the size of the fist. I wondered what type Jock’s haircut was, but he was obviously growing a mohawk! I wonder if this was allowed in the British Army. Maybe he was fed-up being a soldier and now wanted to be a punk. You can afford jumping from thing to thing at whim if expecting to inherit a few millions.
Did I menioned he was a true alcoholic???
thank u.
This is a message for Grayham and any one else reading who knows Jock. I am a journalist from The Age newspaper in Melbourne, the sister paper of the Sydney Morning Herald. I am extremely interested in shedding some light on Jock and the events leading up to the death of Andrei Monov. If anyone thinks they can help please email: [email protected] or call: 61 3 96012050. Thanks very much.
I think your right bulgarian in sydney, no point turning this into a racist debate. Its a classic situation. People get drunk have a few drinks start swearing, maybe drugs involved and then bang. All over. To me its an open and shut case. These things happen all the time. I think the gypsies was also maybe part of the hallucination from the drugs perhaps. I mean maybe if he was temporary insane then he could have imagined that this person was there but maybe he wasnt. I guess only Jock can [know] the reason for his actions. And we can only hope that he gets his sanity back again. Must be terrible being insane, maybe at least he will get treatment and at least he is still only young and has a chance to become back to normal.
Bulgarian_in_Sydney:
The size of a fist on a drawing is not very good grounds for measuring someone’s level of aggression; generally-speaking, aggression is better measured in terms of an individual’s actual behaviour. Further, as I’m sure you’re aware, almost 70 years ago Europe was plunged into war. The architects of this war were the Nazis. Some very small minority of contemporary Europeans wish to see Nazism (as a form of racist, right-wing, ‘national socialism’) revived. In this context, and given the many violent outrages committed by Hitler’s ideological descendants, expressions of opposition to them — such as the wearing of a patch with the slogan ‘Gegen Nazis’ and containing an image of a fist smashing a swastika — are in fact praiseworthy rather than an opportunity for hand-wringing over potential violence.
I’m unaware of the British Army’s rules regarding acceptable haircuts, but given that Jock’s mohawk appears to be the product of a week or two’s growth, I doubt Sergeant-Major would bark at him in displeasure.
Porridge:
Your appraisal of the situation and the reasons for it are not what I’d call subtle. You’ve made the point three times now that you believe Jock was drunk and/or drug-addled, that there was no legitimate reason for his actions, and that he may have been temporarily insane (although you’re ambivalent on this point).
I get it.
to anti-friend:
shte ti go kaja na bulgarski, zashtoto se otnasq samo do teb! koito i da si, ne me interesuva tochno, no iskam samo da ti kaja, che ne ti pravi chest, che govorish takiva neshta za Andi. Ot tupite ti posti, lamtqshti za malko slava ili za tova nai-nakraq da te chue nqkoi, dokazvash che si prosto edno kompleksarche!!! Ti edvali poznavash Andi. taka 4e ne mojesh da dokajesh absoliutno nishto. da ne govorim za gorenapisanite ot teb gluposti!
Da se vidim v Sofia, za da mi gi dokajesh i na men?
NE SMEI DA PETNISH PAMETTA NA ANDREY!
i wrote this on Bulgarian, because it’s only for anti-friend
Ne 4e ne propi6tq cql Lozenec ot negovite zaplahi… Koito pla6i, i vadi noj, ot noj umira. A 4e be6e 4e6it, be6e. 4e be6e piande- be6e. 4e be6e skandaldjiq i poboinik- be6e. 4e mraze6e evrei i cigani i vsi4ki razli4ni- mnogo ne6ta moga da pokaja…
To friend only
To reporter:
Please give us a correct email address. I am sure I have some materials that reveal the real identity of Andrey that would be of interest to you.