Coolaroo man Stephen Fleming pleads not guilty to murdering teacher Annette Brennan
The Coolaroo man accused of murdering teacher Annette Brennan and stuffing her body in a wheelie bin has declared in court he is not guilty.
Police & Courts
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A man accused of murdering a Melbourne teacher and stuffing her body in a wheelie bin has declared in court he is not guilty.
Stephen Fleming, 45, from Coolaroo, beamed into Melbourne Magistrates’ Court from the Melbourne Remand Centre on Wednesday for his second court appearance since his arrest over Annette Brennan’s murder in July last year.
Defence lawyer Michael McGrath, for Mr Fleming, said his client had opted to waive his right to contest the evidence in the lower court and instead wanted his case fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.
Asked by Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz how he pleaded to the single charge of murder, Mr Fleming replied: “Not guilty, your honour.”
Ms Mykytowycz cautioned him he had 10 days to serve written notice if he intended to offer an alibi defence.
Any such notice would have to detail the person’s contact information who he intended to say he was with at the time of the alleged offence, she said.
Mr Fleming did not indicate whether he would be making such a defence, only acknowledging he understood what the magistrate was saying.
Police allege Ms Brennan was killed “on or around” July 1 before being dumped in a Coolaroo bin.
The bin was emptied by rubbish collectors the following day.
A homicide investigation was launched after her body was uncovered by workers at the Repurpose It tip in Epping a week later.
Police believe Mr Fleming and the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) online teacher were known to each other.
The court heard the prosecution’s brief of evidence has been prepared and tendered.
But no details were aired in court as to the circumstances of Ms Brennan’s death.
Mr Fleming will face the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on January 28.
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