Next steps in Kingaroy shooting death case

Technical issues with evidence against a South Burnett businessman accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old father who drove on to his farm at night have been raised in court.

Kingaroy businessman Gavin Raymond Pates (top left and pictured right at Murgon), accused of the shooting death of 21-year-old Blayde Barber (bottom left) in March, will not have his case return to court until September 2024 as lawyers work through technical issues with the brief of evidence police have compiled on the matter.

The case of a Kingaroy businessman accused of shooting dead 21-year-old Blayde Barber on his property will not return to court until September as lawyers work through technical issues with the police brief of evidence.

The lawyer for Gavin Raymond Pates, 38, told Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Friday the brief of evidence handed over by police in relation to the March 21 incident was 56GB in size.

Mr Pates, 38, is charged with one count of manslaughter and insecure storage of weapons over the death of Mr Barber at Mr Pates’ Booie property late at night.

Police allege Mr Barber and another man arrived in a 2005 Hyundai Sonata at Mr Pates’ property, on Kingaroy Barkers Creek Rd, about 11.30pm.

Mr Pates is alleged to have come out of the home armed with a gun, and shot at the car as it drove past him.

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Kingaroy businessman Gavin Raymond Pates (top left and pictured right at Murgon), accused of the shooting death of 21-year-old Blayde Barber (bottom left) in March, will not have his case return to court until September 2024 as lawyers work through technical issues with the brief of evidence police have compiled on the matter.

The vehicle then crashed into a fence post as it was leaving the property.

Emergency services found Mr Barber unconscious and trapped in the wreckage, with critical injuries.

He later died at Kingaroy Hospital.

It was initially reported Mr Blayde and Mr Pates did not know each other.

On Friday, Mr Pates’ lawyer asked for a two month adjournment to allow them to work through the sizeable brief of evidence.

“There’s some items that are missing; there’s some items that have been provided that are defective, and there’s some further disclosure that we have requested,” he said.

Mr Pates’ appearance was excused and no pleas have been entered.

The matter was adjourned until September 6, 2024.

Mr Pates will not be required to attend in person at the next mention date.