Melbourne barrister James Westmore has passed away after suffering extensive injuries in a cycling accident at Dennington on Saturday, February 8.
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He was listed as being in a critical condition in The Alfred hospital on Tuesday but died before a committal hearing into a $2.48 million fraud case resumed on Wednesday morning.
Mr Westmore, 34, of Kensington, was riding a bike at 9.30pm on February 8 along Illowa Road when he was involved in a collision with a four-wheel-drive at the intersection with Princes Highway, just west of Dennington.
He suffered massive head injuries, internal injuries and bone fractures.
Mr Westmore had been appearing in a committal hearing in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court representing Aaron Clark.
Long-time Framlingham Aboriginal Trust administrator Geoff Clark, his wife Trudi and two of their sons, Jeremy and Aaron, have been charged by police with a total of 1171 offences.
Geoff Clark has always maintained his innocence, labelling the charges and proceedings a "witch hunt".
The committal hearing on Wednesday heard from long-time FAT board member Aboriginal elder Aunty Violet Clark, who is suffering poor health.
She said she made nine statements to police.
In cross-examination, Ms Clark was asked about the rules relating to FAT, she said: "As far as I'm concerned there was no rules".
She said during FAT committee meetings she would sit at the table and just listen while "one or two" people would make decisions, such as Geoff Clark, Jeremy Clark and Brian Davis.
Ms Clark said she tried to look after everyone in the Framlingham community.
When asked about the finances of the trust, Ms Clark said: "I had faith in people. I had trust".
She also denied signing a $60,000 cheque for Peter Weston in relation to an eel licence.
"I don't know a Peter Weston. Why would I sign a cheque if I didn't know the person, come off it," she said.
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