Ellie Price murder trial: Ricardo Barbaro accused of killing girlfriend after argument

The trial of a Melbourne man accused of killing his girlfriend in a “violent altercation” has begun after the 36-year-old denied he was responsible.

Ricardo Barbero appeared before the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday, pleading not guilty to the murder of young mother Ellie Price at her Park St, South Melbourne apartment on April 29, 2020.

Outlining the Crown’s case, prosecutor Damien Hannan said the 26-year-old’s body was discovered in the afternoon of May 4 after Ms Price’s mother requested police conduct a welfare check.

He said her mother had spent days trying to get in contact with Ms Price because her son was scheduled for surgery on May 5 and she knew Ms Price would want to speak to him.

“They found the bloody body of Ellie Price on the floor,” he said.

“There was a large amount of blood on the bed, on the furniture and other areas of the bedroom.”

The court was told prosecutors would allege that Mr Barbaro killed his then girlfriend following an argument shortly before 4.30am on April 29 and Ms Price “resisted” and scratched the accused man.

Mr Hannan said CCTV would be played to the jury of Ms Price’s Mercedes-Benz leaving the property at 4.30am never to return.

He said Mr Barbaro’s mobile phone records would place his phone “in the vicinity” of the Mercedes-Benz as it travelled through Melbourne’s northern suburbs between 4.30am and 5am.

The court was told multiple witnesses would be called to give evidence about their final interactions with Ms Price, including Mark Gray, who was texting her in the hours before she was allegedly murdered.

The jury was told that Mr Gray allegedly deposited $25,000 into Mr Price’s bank account on April 24 after she threatened to tell police he had raped her.

The trial, before Justice Lex Lasry, continues.