Justin Stein allegedly drove his red ute across Sydney with the body of Charlise Mutten in a barrel in the tray. Charlise’s mother, Kallista Mutten, was described as being “three days deep into the ice bender”. Stein claimed that Kallista Mutten put Charlise’s body in the barrel and placed it on the back of his Holden Colorado utility. He stated that he had panicked upon the realization that Charlise was on the back of his ute while he was driving around. Stein also mentioned that Kallista Mutten had paranoia and once took apart a suitcase handle thinking it was bugged. In conversations with his mother, Stein expressed a desire to cut off his partner’s head and claimed that Kallista Mutten would be charged for everything, but he believed he wouldn’t be charged with murder.
During a conversation with two prison guards after he was charged, Stein reportedly claimed that Charlise’s mother had shot her twice. He described hearing a shot, Charlise screaming for him, and then running back to witness her being shot again. He expressed frustration at not being believed despite telling people what happened and vented about the charges he was facing. Stein also mentioned having flashbacks and replaying the incident in his head. Despite facing the possibility of jail time, he maintained his innocence by repeatedly stating, “I wasn’t the one.” Additionally, Stein’s fingerprint was found on a gun that had been recovered by police from a Mount Wilson fire trail, which had been stolen by him and Kallista Mutten in August 2021.
The trial continued with testimony from Stein’s mother, Annemie Stein, who confirmed that police showed her photographs of two firearms that had been stolen by her son and Kallista Mutten. Detective Sergeant Bradley Gardiner stated that the stolen firearms were identified based on descriptions and serial numbers provided. Annemie Stein admitted to not having seen the guns but was informed that her son’s fingerprint had been found on one of them. This new evidence further linked Stein to the stolen weapons, strengthening the case against him. Despite these developments, Stein maintained his stance of innocence and expressed frustration at being charged with murder.
The court heard from two prison guards who spoke with Stein after he was charged, with Stein recounting the events surrounding Charlise’s death. He claimed that Charlise’s mother shot her twice while under the influence of ice, leading to his involvement in the crime. Stein expressed disbelief at being charged with murder and repeatedly stated that he was not responsible for Charlise’s death. The presence of his fingerprint on one of the stolen guns added another layer of evidence against him, further complicating his defense. The ongoing trial before Justice Helen Wilson continues to uncover new details about the case and the events leading up to Charlise’s tragic death.
The testimony provided by Stein during his conversations with prison guards shed light on his version of events surrounding Charlise’s death. He claimed that Charlise’s mother was responsible for the shooting and that he was not involved in the crime. Despite facing charges and the presence of his fingerprint on a stolen gun, Stein maintained his innocence and expressed frustration at not being believed. The evidence presented, including testimonies from witnesses and forensic analysis, continues to paint a complex picture of the events leading up to and following Charlise’s death. As the trial progresses, the court will continue to evaluate the evidence and testimonies to determine the truth behind Charlise’s tragic demise.
