Jerry Aniseto Masipau: Man accused of killing ex-Labor MP Barry Urban faces higher court for first time

The man accused of fatally attacking former Labor politician Barry Urban has faced a higher court where his case will progress for the first time. Jerry Aniseto Masipau, 25, was charged with offences including assault, aggravated burglary, no authority to drive and reckless driving after the November 26 incident. But the most serious charge — grievous bodily harm — was substituted with manslaughter after Mr Urban died in hospital on February 15. Police allege that Mr Masipau was a customer at the Kelmscott tyre shop where Mr Urban worked and got into an argument with the 56-year-old ex-Labor MP. It is alleged the accused struck Mr Urban once to the right side of the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground. He suffered a fractured skull and was taken to Royal Perth Hospital in a critical condition, undergoing emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. Mr Masipau has until now fronted Armadale Magistrates Court, where he secured home detention bail, but was in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court for the first time in person on Wednesday. He initially failed to show up and the matter was temporarily stood down. When he eventually arrived with his defence counsel Adam Ward, the lawyer explained his client spoke limited English and went to the District Court by mistake. Mr Ward said he had received details of the State’s case and Mr Masipau may plead at his next court appearance on June 25, adding the coroner’s report did not have Mr Urban’s official cause of death. Prosecutor Brett Tooker said a supplementary psychiatric report on Mr Masipau would hopefully be done by then. Mr Masipau, a Samoan man who moved to WA a year ago, had his bail renewed. Prosecutors had opposed it in January, arguing he was a flight risk due to his New Zealand citizenship. But his lawyer said he would not be once he surrendered his passport and had a “very strong connection” to the State, with a large contingent of around 10 family members in the courtroom. He was alone on Wednesday until his mother arrived to assist with bail. The case will wind up in the Supreme Court. Mr Urban was at the centre of one of WA’s most bizarre political scandals, forced to quit politics in 2018 after wearing a fake medal at a commemoration service, prompting a by-election for the seat of Darling Range. He was jailed for three years in 2021 after pleading guilty to forging records and lying to State Parliament.