Rutherford’s lawyers previously told the court he would fight the charge
The case against a man accused of a horrific stabbing attack is facing lengthy delays as pandemic border restrictions hold up key pieces of evidence.
Townsville
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THE case against a man accused of a horrific stabbing attack is facing lengthy delays as pandemic border restrictions hold up key pieces of evidence.
Police allege twenty-four-year-old Caleb William Rutherford spent three days on the run from police after allegedly fatally stabbing 20-year-old Josh Hyde, as he was walking home with two women on January 10 in Ingham.
Rutherford has more than 22 charges against him, including a charge of murder, and multiple unrelated charges including weapons possession, drugs possession, stealing, and breach of bail conditions.
In Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday, Rutherford’s lawyer Andrew Peel told Magistrate Ken Taylor the brief of evidence was still outstanding, and requested an adjournment for police to disclose the file.
Police prosecutor Sophie Roseby told the court an update could be expected by December 13, before adding there had been delays in transporting a phone to the Australian Capital Territory.
Ms Roseby said officers had to “travel” with the phone personally, and had experienced delays because of Covid-19 and border restrictions.
In a previous court appearance this year, Rutherford’s legal team had told the court he intended to fight the charge against him.
But in court today, Mr Peel inferred Rutherford’s matter could be transferred to Legal Aid, but did not request leave to withdraw from the matter – requesting to “leave it as it is for the time being”.
Rutherford did not appear in court, and was remanded in custody.
The matter was adjourned to December 13 for mention.
Originally published as Rutherford’s lawyers previously told the court he would fight the charge
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