Jon Devonshire in court over murder, manslaughter charges in South Grafton

A man charged with the murder of a South Grafton man in his home appeared in court applying for bail. What happened then.

A man charged following the death of a 50-year-old in a South Grafton home in June has appeared in court, applying for bail.

Jon Devonshire, 64, was initially charged with manslaughter and has been in custody after a man died in his home on June 24.

Appearing by audio visual link on Monday, August 22, at Grafton Local Court, Devonshire had his charges upgraded to murder and assault causing death. No pleas have been entered.

The court heard from Devonshire’s solicitor, Chanel Beesley, that a causation issue had arisen due to the man’s cause of death being reported as heart disease during the alleged assault, with conflicting information from police facts.

Phoenix Close, South Grafton, where a man died in his home on June 24. Picture: Google

Police prosecutor Sergeant Fairleigh argued against granting Devonshire bail, suggesting if released back to his residence – where the alleged attack took place – his neighbours might “fear him”, and that he may be able to contact witnesses with ease.

“There’s a safety of witnesses and he has an aggressive tendency based on the fact sheet,” Ms Fairleigh said.

The court heard Devonshire had sustained cognitive impairments after a car crash several years ago, and magistrate Kathy Crittenden noted a “strong need to be at liberty to prepare defence and for medical treatment”.

Ms Beesley told the court Devonshire also suffers from “significant leg injuries”, such as varicose veins and leg ulcers.

Ms Crittenden factored in the combination of his age, poor health, delay in court proceedings as well as Covid concerns at the Grafton correctional centre, in considering bail.

The magistrate said Devonshire had matters of violence on his criminal history, despite a significant gap in offending, but acknowledged the risk posed to the community if he was to return to his South Grafton address.

Grafton Court House, where Jon Devonshire appeared over a murder charge.

“There are bail concerns of him failing to appear, as well as safety concerns for the community and the seriousness of the allegations,” Ms Crittenden said.

The court heard the police fact sheet was “brief”, suggesting the matter may take months for a resolution.

“In the police facts, there is no interview record of the accused,” she noted.

Ms Crittenden said there may have been some level of “deception” by police, as Devonshire was unable to consent to forensic procedure taking place due to his cognitive impairment.

The court heard the forensic pathologist noted the alleged victim had sustained a fractured nose, laceration to the eye, temple and bruising in the ear.

Ms Crittenden said the charges were of the utmost gravity.

Considering the factors of “unacceptable” risk relating to potential failure to appear to court, the severity of the charges and the “unacceptable” risk to the community, Devonshire was refused bail.

He is due to appear for brief committal on October 17 before Grafton Local Court.