Jon Devonshire without legal representation following murder charges in Grafton

A man charged with murder in South Grafton will have to wait to learn his fate following a lack of legal representation. Read why.

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

A man charged with the murder of a 50-year-old in South Grafton will have to wait to learn his fate.

Jon Devonshire, 64, appeared at Grafton Local Court via audiovisual link on November 15, after his charges were upgraded from manslaughter to murder last month.

Devonshire was charged after a man’s death in South Grafton on June 24, 2022.

Devonshire appeared calm after being told he would not receive an outcome until early next year.

Magistrate Michael Dakin noted the delays due to the time of year, Devonshire’s medical condition and lack of legal representation.

The court also heard from prosecutors that there were delays in the completion of the police brief of evidence.

Several court matters at Grafton Local Court have been delayed months and in some cases years.

Devonshire told the court his son was in the process of organising legal representation, but that no contact had been made.

He was transferred from Clarence to Long Bay Hospital in Sydney for medical treatment, where Mr Dakin ordered a police brief to be served to him.

“It’s a very convoluted process,” Mr Dakin told the court surrounding the charges.

Devonshire’s matter will be dealt with at the Supreme Court.

The court heard forensic samples were taken from Devonshire while he was at custody in Grafton, with blood tests, swabs and photos taken.

Ms Beesley, Devonshire’s lawyer, told the court in August her client suffers from “significant leg injuries”, such as varicose veins and leg ulcers.

The matter was adjourned until February 7, 2023, for charge certification at Grafton Local Court.