Denies Internet Gay Sex Murder

SYDNEY, Australia -- Guiseppe Vitale was killed by a young man he met on a gay internet website. During a sexual encounter in a suburban Sydney park Trent Jennings, 20, stabbed Vitale in the neck with a knife.

Jennings stood trial earlier today in the NSW Supreme Court for the murder of Vitale at Narwee, in Sydney's south, on December 30, 2003.

Even though Jennings does not dispute that he fatally stabbed 32-year-old Vitale, he has pleaded not guilty to murdering him.

Jennings' pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which was to be made on the grounds that he had been suffering from a mental illness at the time, but this was rejected by the prosecution.

The court was told that Jennings met Vitale in an internet chat room and they arranged to meet for sex.

Crown Prosecutor Paul Lynch said Vitale and Jennings met in an internet chat room and agreed to meet. Vitale then drove to meet Jennings at his home and the pair then went to a nearby park where they had a sexual encounter.

During the encounter, Jennings claims, he became concerned he was going to be raped, despite Vitale having being tied up as part of their sex play.

Lynch told the court that Jennings had then stabbed Vitale in the neck.

"Jennings told police he freaked out, was fearful for his safety and he believed Vitale was about to rape him," Lynch said.

"He got the knife and stabbed Vitale and left the scene."

Lynch said Jennings had taken a backpack with him to the park containing condoms, lubricant, nylon rope, a knife and a bottle of amyl nitrate.

He said a man who lived in a nearby street saw Vitale after the attack staggering around and calling for help.

The ambulance and police were called but he died soon after they arrived.

The trial continues tomorrow.