John Edward Tilly Griffin seeks home detention bail on murder charge
A 28-year-old man accused of murdering a pensioner living in a caravan near a coastal SA town has applied to be released from custody on home detention bail.
Port Lincoln
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A Port Neill man alleged to have killed a 66-year-old pensioner found in a caravan has asked to be released from custody.
John Edward Tilly Griffin, 28, appeared in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court charged with the alleged murder, which allegedly took place in the small Eyre Peninsula town between August 31 and September 4 last year.
It is alleged that Mr Griffin killed Mr Robinson - who was living in a caravan at a 1300-acre property on North Coast Rd on the outskirts of the coastal community.
Mr Robinson had recently returned to Port Neill after being released from prison in the Northern Territory where he served 12 months of a three-year sentence for drug trafficking.
In February 2020, Mr Robinson attempted to take 3.8kg of cannabis from Port Neill to Alice Springs, but was arrested by police 40 kilometres shy of his destination, the court heard.
During an application for bail, Mr Griffin’s lawyer identified a potential location for Mr Griffin to reside if home detention was granted.
Magistrate David Mcleod, when considering the application, asked if Mr Griffin is likely to remain facing a murder charge or whether it may be downgraded, the court heard.
“I just want to make it clear that if the charge remains the same in a week’s time I’ll have to be persuaded,” Mr McLeod said.
Police prosecution told the court they were “not opposed” to the idea of Mr Griffin’s application for home detention being approved.
“Identifying the cause of death is causing concern, which is why home detention bail is currently not being opposed,” prosecution said.
The court heard from police prosecutors that as evidence was becoming available for the case, negotiations were taking place on potential downgraded charges.
A home detention report for Mr Griffin will be filed before his custody status can be determined.
The alleged murder took place almost 14 years after Port Neill was rocked by a murder-suicide.
A 52-year-old man and 42-year-old woman were previously found dead with gun-wounds in their farmhouse on November 2008.
Mr Griffin will face court again next month.
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