Convicted murderer before Toowoomba court on drug charges

The grandfather was found guilty to shooting a man at close range and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Kevin Patrick Hanley leaving Toowoomba Supreme Court during his murder trial.

A MILLMERRAN man serving a sentence of life imprisonment after being convicted of murder has had drug charges adjourned in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

Kevin Patrick Hanley was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty at trial of the October 2016 murder of Matthew David Morcus at a residence outside Millmerran.

The Toowoomba Supreme Court heard Mr Morcus was shot at close range by Hanley during an argument at Mr Morcus’s partner’s residence.

The 73-year-old had appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal late last year but was unsuccessful in having the verdict overturned.

Hanley has not as yet been required to enter pleas to the drug charges which include producing and possessing 1.38kg of cannabis allegedly found by police at his home near Millmerran about the same time as the shooting and a charge of unlawfully possessing a weapon.

Duty lawyer Sarah-Jane MacDonald acting on behalf of Hanley’s legal representatives Guest Lawyers, told the court yesterday that Guest Lawyers were seeking leave to withdraw from representing him.

Guest Lawyers advised that since Hanley had lost his appeal he no longer wanted to engage their firm, she said.

Hanley has been held in custody since being convicted of murder and was not in court for the mention of his matters.

Magistrate Howard Osborne adjourned the drug matters for mention on February 19 and ordered Hanley appear by video link from the prison.

Originally published as Convicted murderer before Toowoomba court on drug charges