Benalla dad Joseph McDonald to stand trial over baby son’s death
A young father will fight a murder charge he faces over the death of his seven-week-old son Lucas. The baby died in hospital after presenting with life-threatening injuries.
Police & Courts
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A young Victorian father has pleaded not guilty to murdering his seven-week-old son.
Joseph William McDonald, 22, from Benalla, was charged a week after his baby boy Lucas died at Monash Children’s Hospital in Clayton on October 29.
Mr McDonald faced Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link from prison on Monday where he opted to have his case fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.
Asked by magistrate Donna Bakos how he pleaded to the single count of murder, Mr McDonald said: “Not guilty.”
Baby Lucas was taken to a Benalla hospital with life-threatening injuries on October 25.
He was later transferred to the Monash where he died.
Ms Bakos directed Mr McDonald stand trial in the Supreme Court.
“A straight hand up brief is tendered, but you have elected to stand trial without a committal hearing taking place,” Ms Bakos said.
Mr McDonald made no application for bail.
He will face the Supreme Court for a directions hearing on September 15.
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