Man pleads not guilty to manslaughter of former WA Labor MP Barry Urban
Former Labor MP Barry Urban died months after an alleged assault in Perth. (ABC News: Hugh Sando)
In short:
Jerry Masipau, 26, has pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Barry Urban, the ex-Labor politician who died after allegedly being assaulted at his workplace.
Mr Urban had lied about his university qualifications and overseas military service, leading to his resignation from parliament and ultimately a stint in jail.
He died in 2025, months after the alleged assault in which police said he hit his head on the pavement after an altercation.
A man has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Barry Urban, the former Western Australian Labor politician who infamously lied about his military service in a case that led to his resignation and a jail sentence.
Mr Urban died in February last year, months after he was allegedly attacked during an altercation at his workplace, a tyre business in Kelmscott.
Police alleged Mr Urban had fallen and struck his head on the ground on November 26, 2024, which led to his death.
Jerry Aniseto Masipau is seen speaking to his lawyer outside a Perth court. (ABC News: David Weber)
Jerry Aniseto Masipau, 26, was charged after Mr Urban died and in court on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
Mr Masipau also pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary, which allegedly also occurred on November 26.
The court heard he had allegedly assaulted another man on that date, armed with a weapon or an instrument, after entering his premises without consent.
He is also facing further charges of reckless driving and having no authority to drive.
An interpreter was made available for Mr Masipau in court via audiolink.
Disgraced MP
Mr Urban resigned as a state MP in 2018 after he was exposed for lying about his university qualifications and overseas military service.
He was jailed in 2021 and had served half of a three-year sentence for forging records and lying to the state parliament.
Mr Masipau is scheduled to appear in the Supreme Court in May. He remains on bail.