Rene Latimore murder case adjourned to 2025
Lawyers for a young man accused of murdering Mackay region mum Rene Latimore are determining if they need to try and have evidence excluded from any prospective trial.
Police & Courts
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A young man accused of murdering Rene Latimore remains out on bail while his lawyers determine if they need to try and have evidence excluded from any prospective trial.
The case against the man, who cannot be named because of restrictions under the Youth Justices Act, was mentioned briefly in Mackay Supreme Court on Tuesday when Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Rosie Varley indicated it was “likely at this stage the matter will proceed to trial”.
She requested an adjournment so she and barrister Scott Moon, who was briefed in the matter, could consider any necessary pre-trial hearings and any applications regarding the admissibility of evidence.
Ms Latimore, 31, was reported missing from the Koumala area on August 18, 2021. Police believe the mum of one was last seen alive about one week earlier, on August 9.
Police allege she was killed that evening or early the following day.
Three weeks after she was last seen her body was found on August 30 at an Ilbilbie property now owned by Mackay Regional Councillor Marty Bella. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on Mr Bella’s part.
On November 26, 2021 the youth, then 17, was arrested and charged with murder.
It is understood the young man and Ms Latimore were known to each other.
He has been on bail since his case was committed on April 30, 2024 after being downgraded to manslaughter. Six months later crown prosecution indicted him on a murder charge.
Justice David North agreed to adjourn matters until late February “for review and for arraignment” indicating by that time he wanted defence to have solidified its position on what needed to happen.
The court also heard any necessary application could occur the following week.
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