Christopher Hughes murder charge: Lawyers quit ‘vigilante’ murder case

Lawyers representing the 26-year-old charged over the death of Townsville woman Jennifer Board have withdrawn from the case.

Christopher Hughes, 26, was charged with murder after 22-year-old Townsville woman Jennifer Board died.

LAWYERS representing the ‘vigilante’ charged over the death of Townsville woman Jennifer Board have withdrawn from the case.

Christopher Hughes, 26, did not appear before the court and made no application for bail when his murder case was mentioned at Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Christopher Hughes, 26, was charged with murder after 22-year-old Townsville woman Jennifer Board died.

No explanation was offered for why Shuttleworth Legal solicitor Jarred Mace, who has acted for Hughes recently, withdrew from the matter.

Police allege Hughes was driving the car that hit and killed the 22-year-old Ms Board on Ross River Rd in February

It is alleged that Hughes was dangerously chasing a stolen car, and lost control of his Holden Statesman after ramming the stolen car in the rear end.

Initial reports indicate his car veered across to the opposite lane and struck Ms Board, who was riding her motorbike at the time.

Jennifer Board died in a fatal crash while riding her motorbike.

Police hit Hughes with a murder charge based on the legal principal that someone can murder if they commit a criminal act that is reckless or negligent where death is a foreseeable and probable consequence

He is further charged with driving while disqualified.

Legal Aid solicitor Sarah Belford appeared in court on Wednesday and took over the 26-year-old’s case.

The matter was adjourned for a number of months to July 27 to allow police to finish compiling the brief of evidence against Hughes, who was remanded in custody.

Originally published as Christopher Hughes murder charge: Lawyers quit ‘vigilante’ murder case