Insane amount of CCTV footage in Joshua Bishop murder case

The case of a missing man who was allegedly murdered involves a staggering amount of CCTV footage, a court has been told.

The body of missing man Joshua Bishop was allegedly found in a garage used as the bedroom of the man accused of his murder, a court has been told.

Brandon Watts, 27, was charged with murder after human remains were found at a home on Erinbank Crescent in Melbourne’s northwest in June following an investigation into Mr Bishop’s disappearance.

Mr Watts appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday as police requested more time to prepare a hand-up brief of evidence.

Police have requested more time to go through CCTV footage from more than 42 sites. Picture: Tony Gough

Prosecutor Sharn-Adelle Coombes told the court police were requesting an additional 10 weeks to review CCTV footage – including one clip more than 300 hours long – from more than 42 sites.

Detective Acting Sergeant Charles Thompson said 13 mobile phones had also been seized from a variety of witnesses.

Mr Watts’ lawyer Martin Amad questioned Sergeant Thompson about an affidavit by lead investigator Detective Senior Constable Rebecca Cameron in support of the extension.

“It is mentioned in the affidavit of Ms Cameron that investigators located the deceased in the garage which is used exclusively by Mr Watts as his bedroom,” he said.

“Do you know what the evidence is that the garage was used exclusively by him?”

Sergeant Thompson responded saying he believes Mr Watts’ mother had made a statement.

Joshua Bishop’s remains were allegedly located following an investigation into his suspicious disappearance earlier in the year. Picture: Supplied.

The extension for an additional 10 weeks was granted by magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz, with police now required to hand over their case on October 6.

“Having regard to the affidavit and the forensic material that has been referenced in the affidavit, it would be clearly in Mr Watts’ interest that all of that is disclosed prior to the committal mention,” Ms Mykytowycz said.

Mr Watts will return to court on November 17.

Originally published as Insane amount of CCTV footage in Joshua Bishop murder case