Five face murder attempt charges

A FIFTH person has been charged by police in relation to the alleged attempted murder of a Prospect man in Launceston last week.

Documents filed at the Launceston Magistrates Court show four men and a female youth were charged with attempted murder of 48-yearold Alexander Robert Friend.

They were also charged with the aggravated robbery of a mobile phone, cash and drugs from Mr Friend last Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Three men were remanded in custody after appearances in the Launceston Magistrates Court yesterday.

Sammual Clinton Wilmot, 23, of Allwinton Crt, Waverley and Jake Herlihy (also known as Giavanof), 18, of Morris St, Prospect pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Messrs Wilmot and Herlihy were remanded in custody to reappear in the Supreme Court in Launceston on March 13 for a directions hearing.

Clinton Charles Wilson, 26, of Rocherlea was remanded in custody without plea to reappear on Friday by Magistrate Sharon Cure.

A 17-year-old female appeared in a separate hearing yesterday.

A fifth person, Corey Mitchell Gesler, 24, from Turners Marsh, north of Launceston, did not appear when called yesterday.

Police allege the aggravated robbery was committed with a wooden chair leg.

Mr Friend, 48, was dumped on the roadside in the Launceston suburb of Waverley on Wednesday last week.

His Mazda utility was later found in a nearby lake.

He remains in a serious condition in the intensive care unit at the Launceston General Hospital.

nicholas.clark@news.com.au