Murder case against Dale Joram Edward Hamilton adjourned as defence waits for DNA, crime scene reports

The defence team for a Western Downs man, accused of murdering his neighbour after a dispute soured, has briefed a court on the long list of material that they’re waiting for police to hand over.

A Western Downs man accused of killing his neighbour after a dispute turned sour had his matter briefly mentioned in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Defence solicitor Philip Stainton, of Legal Aid Queensland, told the court that his client Dale Joram Edward Hamilton, 26, was waiting for police to hand over several pieces of evidence before the matter could proceed.

“We have received the majority of the brief but there is still some material outstanding, due to the nature of the matter it is not unsurprising,” he said.

The items include statements from the scene of crime officers, a civilian statement, some photographs, an extract of the defendant’s phone, the autopsy report and a DNA report.

Magistrate Clare Kelly asked police prosecutor Natalia Bugden if she had an estimate on how long the materials would take to produce.

Police claim Miles man Jonathan Martin died after an alleged neighbourhood dispute in March 2023.

Sergeant Bugden replied that it could talk up to eight weeks.

“Those reports can take a while,” she said.

Ms Kelly adjourned the matter until September 20.

“I will direct that if there is no actual provision of the material then there is to be an estimated time of receipt so there can be some planning around the matter,” she said.

Mr Hamilton was remanded in custody and was not required to enter a plea to his charge of murder.

Police allege 44-year-old Jonathan Martin and a friend went to an address in Hawkins St, Miles on March 21 when an altercation erupted between Mr Martin and Mr Hamilton.

Police alleged that Mr Martin suffered critical chest injuries and died.