Teen accused of woman’s murder seeks police evidence
Rex Martinich |
A teenage boy accused of murdering a grandmother during a carjacking has been granted a court order for prosecutors to disclose all evidence in the case.
Vyleen Joan White, 70, died after being stabbed in the chest outside a shopping centre at Redbank Plains, west of Brisbane, on February 3.
Police alleged Ms White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback.
A 16-year-old boy from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was arrested two days later and charged with one count each of murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and three counts of stealing.
The youth’s charges were mentioned in Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday but he was not required to appear in person or via video link from custody.
Prosecutor Andy Iordache told acting magistrate Paul Byrne she could have a complete brief of evidence ready within three weeks.
“The brief will be disclosed in pieces as we go. There are a few officers’ statements outstanding and a pathologist’s statement. Those are the only items outstanding,” Ms Iordache said.
The youth’s solicitor Farshad Sarabi asked Mr Byrne for an order for prosecutors to produce the last items of evidence.
“This is the fifth (court) mention for disclosure and we were promised on the last occasion that it would be made,” Mr Sarabi said.
Mr Byrne ordered the prosecution to disclose the last items of evidence by November 5 and adjourned the matter until November 26.
Mr Sarabi said outside court that the case was “sad for everyone”.
“There are no winners in this situation,” he said.
When asked about the time it had taken for evidence to be disclosed, Mr Sarabi said: “I think everyone is frustrated by the delays”.
Within months of Ms White’s death the Queensland government changed laws to make it easier to deny bail to juvenile defendants and granted accredited media outlets greater access to children’s court hearings.
Youth crime has been a central issue in the Queensland state election campaign before the October 26 poll.
AAP