Man, 26, charged with father’s murder allegedly acted as ‘muscle’ during alleged stabbing, arson attack
The alleged reason a 48-year-old father was stabbed to death before his house was set on fire has been detailed in court.
A father who was allegedly stabbed to death by a group of people before his house was burned down was allegedly attacked over a $1000 “hit” put out against a family member of a co-accused, a court has been told.
Nicholas Graeme Barnett is one of several people charged with the murder of Laidley father Jamie Barlow, who died outside his Lockyer Valley home in mid-2022.
Police allege Mr Barlow, 48, was attacked by the group after power to the home was cut and before the house was set on fire.
The Laidley father was found with at least six stab wounds to his chest and torso.
During a bail application for Mr Barnett on Tuesday, Brisbane Supreme Court was told one of the co-accused, Gabriel Humberto Jones, allegedly told members of the group he intended to assault Mr Barlow before they arrived at the house.
He allegedly claimed the 48-year-old had put a $1000 hit out on one of his relatives.
Mr Jones is alleged to have asked Mr Barnett if he would “have his back” – to which he allegedly said he would.
The court was told the co-accused were all allegedly driven to Laidley, being picked up along the one hour and 45 minute drive from Caboolture.
“The applicant made no inquiries to where they were going or why they were going there,” Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Treston read from the material.
Mr Barnett is not alleged to have stabbed Mr Barlow but is charged with murder due to his presence at the scene and being allegedly armed with a knife.
The court was told it was further alleged Mr Barnett knew of the plan to cut power to the house and covered his face with his shirt during the incident.
Mr Barnett, Mr Jones and four other co-accused are charged with murder, arson and the attempted murder of another woman who was at the home.
No pleas have been entered.
Several co-accused still have their matters before the courts – some due to face a committal hearing later in the year.
In July, a boy, who was 16 at the time, pleaded guilty to Mr Barlow’s murder.
During Monday’s bail application, Mr Barnett’s lawyer said her client had spent more than two years in custody since his arrest.
She argued Mr Barnett’s time in custody amounted to a material change in circumstances, along with the matter being unlikely to progress to a hearing for at least a year.
“He didn’t take further steps … but from his statement and my instructions, he thought he was being ‘muscle’ rather than any intention or understanding it (allegedly) was going to go any further than just standing there,” his lawyer said.
But Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Kelso said there was a “level of uncertainty” around Mr Barnett’s proposed bail conditions.
She said the 27-year-old had offered “nondescript work”, which appeared unclear, including how often he would work and what would be required
It was coupled with “some level of instability” around his living conditions, Ms Kelso said.
Ms Kelso argued the Crown’s case against Mr Barnett was also very strong and he therefore did not risk serving more time in custody than needed, even if convicted of manslaughter.
Justice Treston ultimately refused bail, noting there was “little prospect” Mr Barnett was at risk of serving too much time in pre-sentence custody.
She said this was weighed against “the circumstances and seriousness of the offence” and the strength of the Crown’s case.