Brad Stanley death: Cousin Shelby Stanley charged over Wellington brawl

A talented teenage basketball star is behind bars charged over his alleged involvement in the fatal Wellington skirmish that killed his cousin, Brad Stanley.

Shelby Stanley has appeared in court. Picture: Ryan Young

Police have charged teenager with the alleged murder of his cousin who was stabbed last month.

Wellington man Shelby Charles Stanley, 19, was initially charged with affray, intimidation and armed with intent to commit an indictable offence after he was found with facial injuries following a brawl on the morning of January 3.

On Monday detectives arrested him again at Silverwater jail and charged him with one count of murder, which allegedly occurred after the violent confrontation involving 10 people on William Street in Wellington.

Shelby Stanley. Picture: Ryan Young

Brad Stanley died after he was stabbed in the stomach. Picture: Facebook

In court documents, police alleged Mr Stanley armed himself with a broken beer bottle during the brawl and intended to assault another person.

Police also alleged Mr Stanley used unlawful violence towards two men, one of which was his 24-year-old cousin Brad who later died in Dubbo Base Hospital after he was stabbed in the stomach during the brawl.

He has been remanded in custody since January 4 and no pleas have been entered.

Previously selected to play basketball in the United States, Mr Stanley once had high hopes of securing a college scholarship.

He appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Monday with a black eye, via audiovisual link from Parklea Correctional Centre.

Shelby Stanley has entered no pleas. Picture: Ryan Young

Defence lawyer Jessica Meech applied for bail on Mr Stanley’s behalf and he was supported by his father in court.

“His brother passed away early last year from an overdose of drugs and he’s yet to be treated for that,” Ms Meech told the court.

Ms Meech said Mr Stanley’s sister could provide $2000 surety and that he would relocate to the Blue Mountains if bail was granted.

Police were opposed to bail and said if Mr Stanley was released there was a risk he could interfere with prosecution witnesses and fail to appear in court.

Magistrate Mal MacPherson told the court he believed no bail conditions could ameliorate those risks.

“Alcohol is the biggest risk,” Magistrate MacPherson said.

“All this is to do with excess consumption of alcohol.”

Mr Stanley’s case returns to court on Tuesday.