Daniel Eckersley refuses to face court on partner murder charge
A MAN charged with brutally murdering his partner by stabbing her then torching their Cranbourne North home has refused to face court.
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A MAN charged with brutally murdering his partner by stabbing her then torching their Cranbourne North home has refused to face court.
Daniel Eckersley, 38, was due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court today for the first time since being charged with murdering his partner Amanda Harris on Saturday.
But Mr Eckersley refused to appear in court with his lawyer asking that the administrative hearing proceed in his absence.
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The request drew the ire of experienced magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg who said it was “too bad” Mr Eckersley didn’t want to be brought into court.
“He’s meant to appear before the court,” he said.
“What’s wrong with him, apart from not liking being locked up?”
The court heard Mr Eckersley had been assessed as being psychotic and delusional.
He also thought he was being poisoned by his partner, the court heard.
After being called to Ms Harris’ Cranbourne North home on Saturday morning police launched a major operation to find her three children, who were rescued from a Berwick home several hours later.
Ms Harris was pulled from her burning house by a neighbour before it was realised she had stab wounds.
She died before paramedics arrived.
Mr Eckersley was found with the three children.
Police are still investigating circumstances surrounding the killing.
Some CCTV will form part of the police case.
Homicide detectives have been given until August 20 to prepare a brief of evidence.
Mr Eckersley was remanded in custody until his next scheduled court appearance on October 1.