Lawyers of three charged for murder of Townsville man Bruce Martin ask for case to progress

Lawyers in the murder case of a prominent North Queensland activist have called for the case to progress, following delays which have seen it pushed back in court.

Aurukun man Bruce Martin. Picture: Cassey Brian

The murder case of a prominent North Queensland man has again been pushed back due to the investigating police officers being delayed in finalising their brief of evidence.

It is alleged that 39-year-old Bruce Martin, an Aurukun man and prominent activist, was stabbed at a home in Railway Estate last July. 

Candis Nicole Greer, Daniel John Hook and Damen Scott Leaney have been charged and were again mentioned in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning, with the three accused’s lawyers asking for clarification, with one saying the case was “going around in circles.”

Mr Hook and Ms Greer have been charged with deprivation of liberty, entering a dwelling with intent, murder, threatening violence/ discharging a firearm.

Mr Leaney has been charged with the same offences, as well as obstructing police, trafficking drugs and a contravening order about electronically stored information.

Lawyer Phil Rennick from Rennick Law, who is representing Mr Hook, said there needed to be some explanation as to why the process was taking so long.

“I understand it’s a murder brief and it takes a lot of time,” he said.

“However our clients are sitting in custody, waiting and we can’t progress until we get the brief of evidence.”

Police prosecutor Lennon Stathoulis made an application for an adjournment to a date in February.

“This is because the full brief remains incomplete,” he said.

Mr Stathoulis said the brief had not progressed since it was last mentioned in the magistrates court on August 13, with the prosecutor advising three investigating officers had limited capacity to make progress due to being involved with other unrelated murder cases.

Lawyer Michael Spearman spoke on behalf of Mr Leaney’s legal team and said there needed to be some explanation required as to why it was taking ‘so long’.

“I appreciate everyone is busy and I appreciate the three officers are busy as well but they have had some significant time to file this,” he said.

Tracey Brown representing Ms Greer, asked for an affidavit to be provided by the officers otherwise the case would “go around in circles.”

“Mr Leaney, he is in custody, it’s now been 16 months or so without any brief,” she said.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann confirmed a partial brief had been disclosed and said the overseeing officer must file an affidavit by 4pm on December 13 to explain what material is outstanding, advise when such material is expected and explain the delay.

The matter was adjourned until December 17 for committal hearing at Townsville Magistrates Court.

Originally published as Lawyers of three charged for murder of Townsville man Bruce Martin ask for case to progress