‘Very crucial’ witness to give evidence in bushland murder case
A “very crucial” witness will be called to give evidence in the case against the accused murderers of Jarrad Lovison, whose body was found dumped in bushland.
A “very crucial” civilian witness is due to give evidence in the case against three people accused of murdering Jarrad Lovison.
Andrew Price, 47, Jake Brown, 28, and Samantha Guillerme, 24, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a brief hearing.
All three are charged with murdering Mr Lovison, whose body was found in bushland in regional Victoria.
The 37-year-old went missing from the town of Newborough in the Latrobe Valley in April 2019.
His body was found more than five weeks later in bushland in Moondarra State Park, about 25 km north.
Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said the committal hearing would hear evidence from civilian witnesses, including a “crucial” civilian witness.
The court did not hear the name of the crucial witness to be called in the Crown case.
The three accused are in prison on remand awaiting trial, with the court previously hearing COVID-19 delays were holding up the case.
Magistrate Bailin praised the “significant efforts” of the police officer who compiled the brief of evidence while the majority of their colleagues were deployed elsewhere.
“Given what the (police officer) has faced in resourcing, there have been significant efforts to get this matter moving,” he said.
But he said that “provides small comfort” for those behind bars waiting for the case to proceed.
The court heard there would be a 12-month delay in electronic devices seized from the three murder accused being analysed.
Prosecutor Tim McCulloch said the case against them did not hinge on their electronic devices, but that they were being searched in case further evidence was found.
Transcripts of listening devices and phone taps used in the investigation are expected to be ready by August, the court heard.
There will also be “biology evidence” in the case, along with the “very crucial” civilian witness.
Lawyers will decide if the case will proceed through the Magistrates’ Court or fast-tracked to the Supreme Court to test if the evidence against the three is strong enough for them to be ordered to stand trial.
They will next appear on March 4.