Coffs Harbour stabbing murder accused Matthew Willacy, 36, also staring down armed robbery, theft charges
A homeless man accused of murdering young surfer Kye Schaefer in a Coffs car park faces other charges, including armed robbery. Here’s how his case is progressing.
Police & Courts
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The man accused of the stabbing murder of a young Coffs Harbour surfer remains in custody on remand as more charges against him have been pushed back.
Court proceedings continued in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday against homeless 36-year-old man Matthew Willacy, who is charged with murdering 21-year-old Kye Schaefer on May 2.
Willacy’s defence formally requested outstanding charges of larceny and robbery armed with an offensive weapon be adjourned without any pleas in Coffs Harbour Local Court.
Prosecutor Simon Enderwick asked Magistrate Theresa Hamilton to adjourn for a brief mention on August 13.
Defence lawyer Katie Murphy told the court Willacy instructed her not to enter pleas to the charges before the court. He has also not pleaded guilty or not guilty to the murder charge.
Police allege Willacy attacked Mr Schaefer in a car park at Park Beach, Coffs Harbour.
Ms Murphy said the stealing and robbery allegations were “linked to other indictable offences”.
Magistrate Hamilton adjourned to coincide with Mr Willacy’s other proceedings on August 13, when the murder charge is due to be heard.
Willacy was previously denied bail. Police state Willacy was charged with murder while at a Coffs Harbour correctional facility earlier this month.
Forensics sought as police build case against Kye Schaefer murder accused
Earlier: A North Coast magistrate has agreed to push back a forensic application in relation to the murder of Kye Schaefer as the case continues to develop.
Coffs/Clarence Police applied for the forensic procedure in Coffs Harbour Local Court in the high-profile murder case as they prepared a brief of evidence against Matthew Willacy, 36, on Tuesday, June 11.
Police allege rough sleeper Willacy stabbed Mr Schaefer, 21, to death in a car park at Park Beach, Coffs Harbour.
It took police from the Coffs/Clarence Command a little over a month to announce, on June 4, they had charged Willacy over Mr Schaefer’s death.
In court, Magistrate Julia Virgo heard it was the second forensic application by police, following an interim forensics application made on May 17.
While applying for the final forensics, police prosecutor Sergeant Monaghan told the court the interim application was not complied with as the case had since developed.
Willacy’s lawyer told the court the defence had not received any instructions from him in the matter, nor had they filed any material in relation to the case.
Monaghan requested an adjournment for the final forensics application till June 19, allowing the defence two weeks to consider the material.
Ms Virgo agreed to an adjourned date of June 19 for both the final forensics application and the interim application.
Willacy is required to appear over videolink for the next court appearance.
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