Jordan Kenyon fronts court, legal representation secured

An accused killer driver’s legal merry-go-round has finally come to an end. Here is what it means for the case.

Jordan Kenyon, 29, was allegedly performing burnouts and travelling at speed before he collided head-on with a family's car, killing Mia Rossiter, 12, from Lismore. Picture: TikTok

The court case into the death of a 12-year-old girl who was killed in a car crash can finally move ahead after the accused driver secured legal representation.

Jordan Kenyon, 29, who has had five different lawyers in as many court dates appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court via videolink on Monday for a special mention.

The North Shore man faces a raft of charges related to the death of 12-year-old Mia Rossiter in a horror crash in Stonehaven on January 3.

The crash left Mia’s family and Mr Kenyon’s alleged passenger in hospital, with Mia’s younger sister, Willow, left fighting for her life.

It is alleged Mr Kenyon was on drugs and driving erratically – including allegedly doing burnouts – prior to the crash.

Parents of Mia Rossiter, Paul (PJ) and Dani Rossiter, with family and supporters in Geelong last month. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Mr Kenyon faces the prospect of decades behind bars if convicted, with the maximum available sentence for culpable driving causing death being 20 years.

Celine Khoury, of SLKQ Lawyers, appeared on his behalf at the brief hearing, the latest in a series of lawyers to represent Mr Kenyon.

Mr Kenyon has been represented by five lawyers – from four firms – since initially fronting court over the matter.

At his first appearance in January, Mr Kenyon was represented by solicitor Adrian Paull.

In May he was represented by a different solicitor, before William Blake, of Parnell’s Barristers, took over days before a hearing in June.

Last month Mr Kenyon was represented by defence lawyer Sandra Gaunt, the director and principal of SLKQ Lawyers.

At that hearing, magistrate Peter Mellas warned Mr Kenyon he needed to decide who he was going to be represented by.

“The court is not going to be held up, so you can make up your mind about who’s going to represent you,” Mr Mellas told Mr Kenyon.

At Monday’s hearing, Ms Khoury confirmed Mr Kenyon now had representation set in stone ahead of his committal hearing next month.

The court also heard the defence had applied for leave to cross-examine an additional witness.

Several witnesses are expected to be examined at the hearing, and the defence’s application was not opposed by the Crown.

The Rossiter family, who are based in Lismore, have been making 200km round trips to attend court in Geelong.

On Monday, around ten family members were present in court for the hearing.

Originally published as Jordan Kenyon fronts court, legal representation secured