Charles Turnbull apprehended on warrant for accessory after the fact

A Brisbane businessman was allegedly hired as a ‘cleaner’ to help sanitise a murder scene and dispose of a body, a court has heard.

A Brisbane businessman was allegedly hired as a “cleaner” to help sanitise a murder scene and dispose of a body in a northern NSW river, a court has heard.

AAG group owner Charles Dennis Le Marchant Turnbull, 33, was apprehended on a NSW extradition warrant for accessory to murder after the fact and brought before Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

Opposing an application for bail police prosecutor Eddie Fraser said it was alleged Turnbull was called to Sydney to assist as “the cleaner” by two other men accused of murdering a low level drug dealer Darcy Schafer-Turner in their apartment on April 27.

Charles Dennis Le Marchant Turnbull was apprehended on a NSW extradition warrant for accessory after the fact to murder.

Mr Fraser alleged Turnbull boarded a flight from Brisbane to Sydney the following day and when he arrived went to Bunnings to purchase chlorine, coveralls, duct tape, gloves and cleaning material.

Police allege he then attended the unit in Sydney’s south where Mr Schafer-Turner’s body was.

It’s alleged Turnbull later made another trip to Bunnings, in the deceased’s ute, to buy a large metal cabinet, drill, zip ties and rolls of black plastic.

Mr Fraser alleged Turnbull along with the other men then commenced cleaning the crime scene and wrapped Mr Schafer-Turner’s body in plastic and placed it in the metal cabinet which was then taken downstairs to the car park.

It’s alleged the metal cabinet was placed in the back of the deceased‘s ute and covered with tarpaulin.

Mr Fraser alleged Turnbull was paid a sum of cash for his help before travelling north the following day in the deceased’s ute with the body.

After allegedly purchasing a trailer and aluminium boat at Port Macquarie on Facebook marketplace he then drove north to Warrell Creek south of Macksville.

Mr Fraser alleged that Turnbull dumped the metal cabinet containing the body in the middle of Warrell Creek.

The court heard that the metal cabinet containing Mr Schafer-Turner was recovered from Warrell Creek last Friday.

By then Turnbull had returned to Queensland and continued to use the ute, which remains outstanding, until May 8, Mr Fraser alleged.

Turnbull was denied bail.

After his arrest at Eagleby yesterday Mr Fraser alleged Turnbull made full admissions to police about travelling to Sydney and helping clean the unit and dispose of the body.

“The defendant stated he was currently in debt related to drugs and his assistance was motivated by clearing some of that debt,” Mr Fraser said.

He strongly opposed bail noting Turnbull was on Supreme Court bail in Queensland for the alleged manufacture of a weapon and other offences at the time, and on bail for drug trafficking and money laundering offences in South Australia.

“The defendant has engaged in a criminal enterprise with the co-accused to assist them in the murder and the subsequent disposal of another human being for financial gain,” Mr Fraser alleged.

“This calculated and incorrigible act represents some of the most reprehensible criminal behaviour.

“The defendant has demonstrated complete disregard for the sanctity of human life. And disregard the remains of Mr Darcy Schafer-Turner a young man of only 22 years of age in the most callous of manners.”

Legal Aid lawyer Hellen Shilton said her client had strong ties to the community and ran a number of transport related businesses that employed 15 people who relied on him.

Ms Shilton said her client had been complying with his bail conditions and that there was nothing to suggest he would flee the state.

She said Turnbull was in the process of trying to get several of the Queensland offences withdrawn.

Magistrate John Costanzo refused bail citing a strong crown case given the CCTV and admissions.

“The facts show that he was quite prepared to leave his businesses in Queensland behind to undertake these callous activities,” he said.

“The weight of all of the charges that he is facing now in three states have accumulated to a point where there is a very strong motivating factor to either flee the jurisdiction or to keep offending to pay off his drug debt which he obviously feels extremely obliged to attend to.”

The extradition proceedings were adjourned until the finalisation of the Queensland matters.