Michael Kerr: Josh Edwards and two teens charged over stabbing murder of Nowra man

One of the three people accused of murdering an innocent passer-by in an early morning stabbing on the south coast has appeared in court.

A young father accused of the stabbing murder of a man in a Nowra laneway in early 2022 has been refused bail.

Josh Edwards, 22, appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday, 24 hours on from being arrested by the Homicide Squad at a home in Warilla.

Edwards is charged with murder, aggravated robbery with wounding or grievous bodily harm, attempted robbery in company and stealing a car.

Two 17-year-olds were arrested on Tuesday and charged with the same offences at Edwards as well as aggravated entering of a dwelling with intent.

The two teenagers were refused bail in a children‘s court on Wednesday and will reappear before the same jurisdiction on March 23.

The victim has since been formally identified as 51-year-old Michael Kerr, who had only moved to the region a month prior to the incident on January 4, last year.

Mr Kerr was found by two men bleeding and unconscious on Nowra Ln – only a few hundred metres from Nowra Police Station – at about 4.20am.

Michael Kerr died shortly after he was found with significant stab wounds. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Kerr, who had been living in nearby Greenwell Point after moving from Albury about four weeks earlier, had sustained significant stab wounds including one to his left upper shoulder.

The men called emergency services who transported Mr Kerr to Shoalhaven Hospital where he died before he was to be flown to a Sydney hospital.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Amelia Wall said in court on Thursday that Edwards had an extensive criminal record and was “under police notice” before and after the alleged murder.

The crime scene established on the corner of Nowra Ln and Worrigee St on January 4, 2022. Picture: Dylan Arvela

Sgt Wall submitted Edwards was on a community correction order for domestic violence offences and punching a police officer in the face at the time Mr Kerr was killed.

After January 4, last year, Edwards had also been convicted of being in possession of a prohibited weapon – namely a knuckle duster – and throwing a shoe at a police car.

Sgt Wall outlined parts of the police facts, stating the trio decided not to rob a nearby service station due to a sign indicating no more than $100 cash was on the premises.

Homicide Squad detectives arrested the three accused this week. Picture: NSW Police

Josh Edwards was arrested at a Warilla address on Wednesday morning. Picture: NSW Police

“The unknown (to the accused) victim was walking down the street and he jumped,” Sgt Wall said.

“A scuffle ensued and he suffered fatal injuries.”

Defence lawyer Elizabeth Parkes submitted it wasn‘t an “overwhelming” case against Edwards given he was in a car when Mr Kerr was allegedly murdered.

Ms Parkes said Edwards may end up with “a lot less serious of a charge than it currently stands” adding the case will take a long time to progress through the courts.

Ms Parkes added Edwards lived with his partner and five children and suffered from “significant” mental health issues.

Registrar Bruiceen Coulthard refused Edwards bail with the matter to return to the same court on Friday.