Kimlong Rim, 38, is standing trial in South Australia's Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to the murder of 21-year-old Thea Kheav outside a party at Parafield Gardens in Adelaide's north in December 2007.
Prosecutor Kos Lesses told the jury that although Rim did not inflict the fatal stab wound, he was part of a group of four men accused of murdering Kheav. The court heard that Kheav was attending an 18th birthday party with his brothers when an argument broke out between one of the Kheav brothers and a man from the accused group.
The man left the party in an angry state but later returned with a convoy of cars carrying a large group of men, including Rim and three others allegedly involved in the murder. Kheav attempted to climb over gates but was pulled to the ground, where he was kicked, punched, and stabbed in the chest with a long-bladed knife.
Despite paramedics' efforts, Kheav was unable to be resuscitated and died at the scene. Prosecutor Lesses described the alleged crime as "borne out of a retaliation".
The trial continues as the court examines the events surrounding the fatal stabbing nearly two decades ago.
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