Troy McCosker pleads not guilty over alleged murder of Wade Still, left to die with extensive burns on roadside
Troy McCosker, 50, appeared via video link at Newcastle Local Court and pleaded not guilty to murdering Wade Still, who was doused in petrol and left on the side of the road to die.
Newcastle
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A man charged with the alleged murder of Wade Still, who was left to die with extensive burns on the side of the road at Whitebridge in August last year, will head to the Supreme Court in Sydney in December for arraignment.
Troy McCosker, 50, appeared via video link from Parklea Correctional facility at Newcastle Local Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.
It comes after co-accused David John McCauley, 36, pleaded guilty to Mr Still’s murder last month, admitting to pouring petrol and burning alive the 23-year-old on the side of Oakdale Rd in the early hours of August 20, 2018.
It’s alleged both men were involved in a violent feud with Mr Still, whose body was found by a passing taxi driver that Monday morning.
Police said he suffered extensive burns to his body and despite attempts by paramedics to save his life, he died as he was being airlifted to hospital.
McCosker will head to the Supreme Court on December 6 for a trial date to be set.
On another matter in court on Wednesday, McCosker pleaded guilty to possession of drugs.
His solicitor said his client had a significant injury to his arm and nearly lost it in a workplace injury, when he fell backwards into a window in 2013.
He said McCosker was taking the cannabis for pain relief.
Magistrate Robert Stone said the drug offence was low on objective seriousness and it seems clear the cannabis was for personal use, and not for supply or gain but was suspicious due to prior convictions for possession.
He imposed a sentence of seven days, already served in custody.