Lawyers for man accused of Cairns shooting await key police evidence
A man accused of a shooting in Far North Qld one week before he was discovered 1000km away in a crash in Central Qld will remain in custody.
Lawyers for a man arrested in Central Queensland after he was allegedly involved in a shooting in Cairns are waiting for evidence in the case against him.
John Durham Willey, 43, was found 1000km south of Cairns one week after the shooting after a crash on the Bruce Highway.
Mr Willey was located in bushland near the Kunwarara Road, north of Rockhampton, crash site on September 17 about 10.30pm after police locked down the area searching for him.
Mr Willey and a 47-year-old woman travelling with him, Kate Pendlebury, were charged with various offences when police arrested them after the crash on September 16.
Police will allege that around midnight on September 9, the pair attended a Chester Court hotel and shot a 45-year-old Cairns North man in the leg before fleeing.
They were discovered when a Holden Crewman utility and caravan collided.
Police discovered firearms and ammunition in the Holden.
They allege Ms Pendlebury fled the vehicle but arrested her in bushland nearby.
She was charged with acts intended to maim, armed robbery, unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and four traffic-related offences.
Following an appeal for public assistance, Mr Willey was located after a lengthy manhunt in bushland near the crash site and taken into police custody.
He was charged with one count each of acts intended to maim, armed robbery, unlawful possession of a category A weapon, receiving tainted property, unlawful use of motor vehicles, and stealing.
Mr Willey’s lawyer, Stephanie Smith, advised the court Legrady Law had received funds to represent Mr Willey and they were waiting for the brief of evidence.
Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said there were two pieces of the brief of evidence outstanding – the certificates for the firearms and drugs – which were expected to be ready in the next two weeks.
Mr Willey’s charges were adjourned to January 28.
Ms Pendlebury’s charges will next be mentioned on January 21.
No pleas have been entered.
Mr Willey and Ms Pendlebury remain in custody.
