Portmoresbey Cecil trial for alleged murder of Sue Duffy mentioned in court

A lawyer for the man charged with murdering his estranged mother-in-law has given some insight into the progress of the court case one year and a half after she died.

Sue Duffy was allegedly murdered by her estranged son-in-law Portmoresbey Cecil in August 2022 in her Allenstown residence.

The trial for a man accused of murdering his estranged mother-in-law is on track to begin next month, a court has heard.

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 the beloved grandmother sustained “substantial injuries” caused by a “bladed instrument”.

Justice Graeme Crow heard the update on Tuesday, March 5 over the phone from crown prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence and Mr Cecil’s lawyer Rebecca Harris while he was holding court sittings in Bundaberg Supreme Court instead of Rockhampton, where he is based.

Ms Harris told the court the brief of evidence had been sent to the barrister who had plans to meet with Mr Cecil in person by the end of this month.

Both Ms Lawrence and Ms Harris said things were progressing on track and would be ready for a prerecording of evidence to take place before the trial begins.

The trial is expected to begin on April 29.

Mr Cecil is being held on remand at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Wacol.

He was born in New Zealand and was unemployed at the time of his arrest.