Murder accused Klaus Dieter Neubert says assets frozen

A  MAN charged with the shooting murder of his estranged partner in New Town last year has told the Supreme Court he is struggling to fund a lawyer, despite being worth $2.4 million.

The Supreme Court building in Hobart.

A  MAN charged with the shooting murder of his estranged partner in New Town last year has told the Supreme Court he is struggling to fund a lawyer, despite being worth $2.4 million.

Klaus Dieter Neubert, 73, of Lymington, south of Hobart, has denied killing Olga Neubert at New Town on May 14, 2015. Mr Neubert also faces one count of grievous bodily harm arising from the same alleged incident.

At a directions hearing held yesterday in Hobart, Director of Public Prosecutions, Daryl Coates SC, told the court he was eager for the matter to be progressed and inquired as to whether Mr Neubert planned on instructing a lawyer.

Mr Neubert told Chief Justice Alan Blow that although he had a total worth of $2.4 million — including $900,000 cash — Tasmanian authorities had “frozen” his assets.

Mr Neubert also expressed concern about the potential depreciating effect of currency exchange rates if he was to liquidate deposits of gold and silver he held in Europe.

Chief Justice Blow said while that potential outcome may be unfortunate, it was less serious than going to trial in a murder case without a lawyer.

Mr Coates told the court he hoped a trial could start in February.

Chief Justice Blow directed the Supreme Court registrar request that practitioners from Legal Aid contact the accused and ordered a further directions hearing for November 14.

Originally published as Murder accused Klaus Dieter Neubert says assets frozen