Murder accused Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely seeks bail

A brickie accused of viciously stabbing a stranger to death near a caravan park has made a bid for his freedom, with numerous onerous conditions proposed.

A brickie accused of viciously stabbing a stranger to death at a Paget field will walk free on Wednesday once a $500,000 surety is paid.

Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely has been granted supreme court bail on numerous strict conditions including wearing a tracking device and living in New South Wales.

Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely was charged with allegedly murdering Birdsall Fa’apepele in Paget on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Picture: Facebook

He is charged with murdering Birdsall Fa’apepele in the early hours of December 14, 2021 at a field near Paget caravan.

It is alleged Mr Walker-Ely, 33, allegedly stabbed the 25-year-old man in the neck, face and abdomen at The Park on Farrellys and Broadsound Road.

Birdsall Fa‘apepele was allegedly stabbed in the head and abdomen at The Park caravan park at the corner of Broadsound Rd and Farrellys Rd in Paget. Picture: Facebook

The younger man’s body was allegedly found in a vacant lot off the Bruce Highway about 3am, about 700m from the caravan park.

It is alleged Mr Walker-Ely phoned Triple-0 and told police he had stabbed another man and then waited at the location until police arrived before indicating where the incident had occurred.

Mr Walker-Ely has been on remand since he was taken into police custody and charged with murder.

A Mackay man has been charged with murder after he allegedly stabbed and killed another man in a caravan park. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Only a supreme court justice can decide a bail application for murder.

The matters were mentioned in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday and bail was granted, locking Mr Walker-Ely into numerous conditions.

Court documents revealed he would be granted bail on March 9 once a $500,000 surety was paid.

He must immediately be fitted with a tracking device and then live in New South Wales where he will be subject to a 24-hour curfew, however there are a number of exceptions allowing him to leave the home.

These include reporting to Waratah police seven days a week, attending his workplace Monday to Friday between 6am and 4.30pm, attending mental health and medical appointments and appearing in court.

Mr Walker-Ely is to have no contact with any civilian Crown witnesses, he cannot drink and must comply with breath tests.

Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely has been granted supreme court bail on strict conditions. Picture: Facebook

The documents state within 14 days of his release he must organise an appointment with a GP for an assessment and to obtain a mental health plan. He must also sign a document for police and the Crown which names the GP.

Mr Walker-Ely must surrender his passport and he cannot leave or attempt to leave Australia, enter or attempt to enter an international airport, any seaport or leave New South Wales without written permission.

He is allowed to have one phone only, but all details including passwords must be provided to police and he cannot have any encrypted apps such as Wickr, Snapchat, Signal or WhatsApp.

His case will be mentioned again in early April.