GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND – Oshae Jackson Tuiasau an emerging state-of-origin star who was accused of punching a man on Dec 29, 2021, is now on bail related to charges over the alleged fatal assault which turned into the death of 39-year-old Toro George in December 2021.
Oshae Tuiasau Faced Striking Causing Death Charge After Alleged Punch Victim Dies
26-year-old, now 28, Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, was re-arrested overnight after the man he’s accused of punching in Surface Paradise last week died from his injuries.
The emerging state-of-origin star was initially charged with grievous, bodily harm and was granted bail with strict conditions. But today that changed to the magistrate refusing his application for bail on the basis that the new upgraded charge of striking causing death was too serious.
His family and the family of his alleged victim were both at Southport Court today, as he faced this fresh charge. Tuiasau sat in silence during his appearance via video-link from Southport watchhouse, occasionally bowing his head.
Last week, a court heard the young father knew the alleged victim, a 39-year-old from New South Wales, and that there’d been an altercation in a nightclub.
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Police say the pair were then walking along Surf as Paradise Boulevard just before 4:00 AM on December 19th, when the 26-year-old turned and allegedly punched the man. He fell to the ground, hitting his head on the concrete pavement. Officers performed CPR on him for eight minutes before he was taken to hospital and put in an induced coma. Turi Sauer was returned to court in February.
Defense Lawyer Claims Tuiasau Was Trying to Be “Peacemaker” on Night of Alleged Fatal Attack
During a court appearance in May 2023, Oshae Tuiasau’s defense lawyer Dan Rawlings told the Southport Magistrates Court that the alleged victim, Toro George, had assaulted a woman earlier in the nightclub on December 29, 2021, the night of the incident in which he was fatally injured. Rawlings said Tuiasau was initially trying to play peacemaker and diffuse the situation in the club by separating George from others he was fighting before security got involved.
“The defendant appeared to be making attempts to separate the feuding parties before security intervened and the group, including the defendant, left the venue,”
“So he’s being the peacemaker within the venue. This is the initial reaction from my client. It paints a picture of calm, kind,”
Rawlings told the court, reading from police statements.
the lawyer argued, seemingly trying to portray Tuiasau as nonviolent.
Magistrate Gary Finger nonetheless denied Tuiasau’s application for bail, stating firmly that
“You cannot get more serious than someone’s loss of life.”
Gary Finger said.
During the proceedings, Tuiasau’s wife and family members of both men sat on opposite sides of the back row of the courtroom gallery.
After the bail denial decision had been handed down, the families of the defendant and deceased victim emotionally embraced and cried together in the courthouse lobby in charged scenes. Tuiasau’s family members eventually left the court alongside his lawyer Mr. Rawlings, while George’s family exited with accompanying detectives.
Oshae Jackson Tuiasau is a Native of Queensland
Oshae Jackson Tuiasau is a 28-year-old former rugby league player born on April 28, 1995, he is from Southport, Queensland, Australia.
He first gained notice as part of the Queensland Under-20s State of Origin side in 2015 after honing his skills playing for the Townsville Blackhawks in 2014. Tuiasau then spent multiple seasons from 2017-2019 with the North Devils in the Queensland Cup competition before earning a professional contract with the Gold Coast Titans National Rugby League club.
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He made a number of first-grade appearances for the Titans in 2019 and 2020 but did not continue playing professional rugby league beyond that year. An old image shows Tuiasau competing for the Titans in a Holden Cup Under-20s match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs earlier in his career.
In addition to his rugby league background, Tuiasau is a married man with a 10-month-old child as of late 2021. His lawyer emphasized Tuiasau’s family role when arguing for bail in relation to charges over Tuiasau’s alleged fatal assault of a man in Surfers Paradise in December 2021.
Where is Oshae Jackson Tuiasau Now?
Oshae Jackson Tuiasau was granted bail and released from custody in early 2022 related to charges over the alleged fatal assault of a man in Surfers Paradise in December 2021. However, despite being out on bail since then, Tuiasau has not admitted to the crime and maintains his innocence.
His lawyer, Dan Rawlings of Rawlings Criminal Law, acknowledged the seriousness of the upgraded striking causing death charge Tuiasau now faces but argues his client has complied fully with his bail conditions.
Rawlings stated that if granted bail again, Tuiasau planned to remain at home caring for his 10-month-old child while his partner worked.
The lawyer emphasized this case is still in very early stages, saying so far all they have is the initial police affidavit and there will be a large amount of evidence still to be provided and examined.
“All I’m saying is that this is not an open-shut case. It’s a matter that’s going to require some very deep consideration,”
Rawlings asserted, seeming to imply Tuiasau intends to vigorously contest the charges and avoid conviction.
Toro George was survived by his wife and two children
Toro George, the 39-year-old man who died after allegedly being punched by former rugby player Oshae Tuiasau in Surfers Paradise in December 2021, was a beloved father and husband whose death deeply impacted many people. George left behind his wife Arden as well as their two sons, Tyreece Tesaua George and Vasi George.
His grieving family members described George as someone who was loved by so many throughout his life. He lived in New South Wales but was visiting the Gold Coast area at the time of the fatal incident that led to his tragic death. George’s legacy will be carried on by his wife Arden and their two boys whose lives have been forever changed by the loss of their father and husband.
