Cuballing former gang member Carlo Thomas Parisella pleads guilty to threatening to kill

A former gang member who threatened to shoot a man in the face then turn the gun on himself told police it was a ‘bonus’ they could not find the gun when he was arrested by Narrogin detectives. Carlo Thomas Parisella, 45, appeared in custody in Albany Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to one charge of threatened to kill. Bail was opposed by police prosecutor Sgt Matt Hartfield, who said the Cuballing man threatened to shoot his would-be victim in the face, then turn the gun on himself in the incident on Thursday. Would-be victim Fredrick Chapman was acquitted in February 2020 on a charge of grievous bodily harm against Mr Parisella. Upset with the acquittal, Mr Parisella demanded a retrial. Mr Parisella made the threat in front of police after reporting that an associate of Mr Chapman drove past his home, made a rude signal and shouted: “Fred’s not finished with you yet”. He told police that he would shoot Mr Chapman in the face with a .308 calibre rifle before turning the gun on himself. Mr Parisella was apprehended by Narrogin detectives in Katanning. He told police that it was a “bonus” they had not recovered the firearm. An extensive land search failed to find the rifle. Sgt Hartfield opposed bail on the basis that Mr Parisella was convicted in 2014 for a similar offence, and because there were no bail conditions that would protect Mr Chapman and any witnesses who took part in the trial. Defence lawyer Wendy Stewart said Mr Parisella denied saying it was a bonus that police had not found the rifle and acknowledged how serious the offence was. Ms Stewart said Mr Parisella suffered head injuries as a result of the grievous bodily harm against him. Magistrate Erin O’Donnell said Mr Parisella was “obviously very angry about the outcome” of Mr Chapman’s trial. “Clearly, there is a history of animosity between yourself and Mr Chapman,” she said. Ms O’Donnell said a person of stable mind would not make such threats and she was not satisfied that bail conditions would protect the victim. Mr Parisella’s bail application was denied and his sentencing was adjourned until March 14.