Bryan Hanns: Sea Lake farmer accused of killing cop must wait on fate

Pre-trial posturing has earned the wrath of a magistrate during a committal hearing for a Sea Lake farmer accused of killing a cop in Victoria’s northwest.

Sea Lake farmer Bryan Hanns appeared by video link at Mildura Magistrates’ Court.

The committal hearing of a man accused of killing an off-duty police officer following a collision in Victoria’s northwest has been delayed.

Sea Lake farmer Bryan Hanns, 57, has been charged with culpable driving of a motor vehicle causing the death of Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox.

At Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, prosecutors and Hanns’ defence asked for a two-month adjournment because audio and transcripts had not been received.

The court was told the audio being sought was from the cross-examination of two witnesses, which took place in June.

An Office of Public Prosecutions prosecutor said on the “current turnaround” the audio would not be available by the next committal mention date, in one month’s time.

But magistrate Michael Coghlan refused the long adjournment, saying it would not have enough regard for the fact someone had lost their life.

Mr Coghlan said it was important the information was provided in a timely manner.

“It seems to be there needs to be some priority made of this matter,” Mr Coghlan said.

Hanns’ bail was extended and the matter adjourned to August 11.

Leading Senior Constable Dennis Cox, 47, tragically died on the outskirts of Sea Lake in northwest Victoria on November 12.

Constable Cox spent 12 years working with Victoria Police in the Western Division and was also based at Swan Hill police station during his career.

He was off duty when he was allegedly struck by a car on the Sea Lake-Lascelles Road about 8am on November 12 last year.

Community members have described him as a popular and much-loved figure.

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