Legal Aid funding approved for Portmoresbey Cecil’s murder trial
The clock is ticking as lawyers hastily organise the trial arrangements for a man who allegedly murdered his estranged mother-in-law.
Police & Courts
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The trial of a man accused of murdering his estranged mother-in-law will have his trial paid for by Legal Aid – on one condition.
Portmoresbey Cecil, 36, was charged with the murder of his estranged mother-in-law Susan Margaret Duffy, who was 71 when she was allegedly killed in her West St, Allenstown, home on August 21, 2022.
It is alleged Mrs Duffy, a beloved grandmother, sustained “substantial injuries” believed to be caused by a “bladed instrument”.
Mr Cecil’s murder charge was mentioned in the Supreme Court in Rockhampton this week about the funding arrangements for the trial, set to start on April 29.
Defence lawyer Rebecca Harris said Legal Aid had approved funding for the trial, on the condition Mr Cecil’s sister, who funded his committal proceedings, signs a statutory declaration.
Mr Cecil was remanded in custody on the charge at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Wacol.
He was born in New Zealand and was unemployed at the time of his arrest.
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