Delivery Rider’s Alleged Killer Appears in Melbourne Court
Roberto Urbano, 51, charged with murdering food delivery rider Feng Jianming in Melbourne, exposed himself during a video-link hearing. Investigators were given extra time to build their case, and a fundraiser for Feng's family has raised almost $390,000.
The delivery rider’s alleged killer, Roberto Urbano, 51, pulled down his pants and exposed himself while appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court by video link on Monday. He is charged with murder and intentionally causing serious injury.
Police allege Feng Jianming, 47, and another rider confronted Urbano after spotting him tampering with their bikes in Melbourne’s city centre on Friday night. A fight broke out, and Urbano allegedly stabbed both men. Feng died at the scene.
The second rider, 34, suffered serious injuries. He remained in hospital on Monday morning.
Outburst from the cell
Urbano appeared from a police custody cell. He called out, “Objection, your Honour!” and then said, “I’m the one who was injured”.
The video link was muted, but he kept speaking and gesturing with both hands. He stood up and walked around the cell several times. He then stood on the chair and exposed himself before the link was cut.
The magistrate granted a prosecution application to have Urbano’s right arm injury photographed and his DNA taken with a mouth swab. His lawyer confirmed his client experiences schizophrenia and asked for the custody nurse to assess him.
Investigators received extra time to build their case. Multiple witnesses need translators, and more than 30 CCTV cameras must be canvassed, holding hundreds of hours of footage. Urbano will return to court on April 26, 2027.
Community response
Feng was originally from China’s Shaanxi Province. He had been in Australia for about nine years to support his wife Xu, their four parents and two children at home.
Mourners have left floral tributes and handwritten notes near the state library. Some cards offered sympathy to Feng’s family. Others read “City of Criminal”, “Safe Street for Every Person” and “Asian Lives Matter”.
The Melbourne Chinatown Business Association set up a GoFundMe fundraiser that had raised almost $390,000 by Monday morning. The money is meant for emergency travel and funeral expenses for Feng’s family.
Association head Christina Zhao said Feng’s death weighed heavily on his colleagues and on gig worker communities in China, Japan and Korea.
Calls for worker protection
Brandon, a local delivery rider who did not give his surname, plans to accept fewer night jobs. He spoke to the association in Chinese.
“I definitely feel more worried when I’m out delivering food, particularly when riding alone at night or passing through areas where I feel unsafe,” he said.
He wants delivery platforms to protect workers better, including by not penalising them for abandoning orders when they feel unsafe. The food delivery company HungryPanda said it was helping the family with visa arrangements, funeral expenses, financial support and insurance.
The Transport Workers Union has questioned whether the company properly assessed and controlled risks to its workers.
“Nobody should have to lose their life just to earn a living,” Brandon said.
