Alleged killer Spencer Shumski is on trial for stabbing salesman Clint Allen to death

A courtroom watched CCTV footage of a verbal fight on an east Victorian high street after a night out turned deadly.

Clint Allen, 38, was killed by then-20-year-old Spencer Shumski by stabbing him twice in the heart, aorta and liver.

What transpired later turned the regional town, one of Sale’s busiest streets, into an alleged murder scene, the entirety of which was caught on camera.

Crown prosecutor David Glynn told the High Court sitting in Morwell on Thursday that Mr Shumski’s legal team would argue their client’s actions were in self-defence.

“The prosecution says you have no right to respond to being pushed by stabbing someone in the chest with a knife,” Mr Glynn said.

Celebration night gets worse

On May 7, 2023, Mr Allen was thrown out after taking a phone call from a female friend during a night out at Jack Ryan’s Irish Pub for his wife’s birthday.

The court heard the soon-to-be grandfather followed his friend and started walking towards the house.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shumski was actively trying to stop one of his friends from leaving the bar and pursuing the man.

Three minutes later, Mr. Shumski and his two friends also left the bar, walked in the same direction, and soon caught up with Mr. Allen and his friends.

Shortly after the prosecution claimed Mr Shumski was seen on CCTV wielding a knife and waving it at the man who was thrown out.

Seeing that his friend was in trouble, Mr. Allen rushed at Mr. Shumski.

While pushing the defendant, the first blow of the knife hit his chest and the defendant fell to the ground.

He then stood up and ran towards Mr. Shumski again and was stabbed again.

“Mr. Allen was unarmed. He ran in and, judging by the video, kind of pushed Mr. Shumski,” Mr. Glynn said.

Defendant told friends he did ‘something terrible’

While Mr. Allen lay on the ground, Mr. Shumski and his friends walked away, got into a car and drove away.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics whose station was just across the road, Mr Allen could not be saved.

The court heard Mr Shumski sent several messages to friends over the next few hours saying he expected to go to prison.

“I have done a terrible thing and depending on a number of factors I may not be able to speak to you for years and I will speak to you as soon as I can,” Mr Glynn told the court.

While Mr. Allen’s wife was dealing with her husband’s sudden death, Mr. Shumski went to sleep at his parents’ house and, hours later, told them what happened.

He said he was on his way to meet a friend who gave him a ride home when a group of about 10 people “rushed” him.

His family took him to the police station, where he was arrested and charged with murder.

The trial continues.