Stanislous Tipungwuti: Malak murder case appears in Darwin court

A man accused of killing another this week in an argument over funeral rights has appeared in court.

THE man accused of killing a Tiwi Islands man in an argument over funeral rights will remain in custody as the homicide investigation continues.

Stanislous Tipungwuti, 28, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Thursday over accusations he murdered a 42-year-old man while the pair were visiting a Malak home on Tuesday evening.

Tipungwuti was silent under his disposable face mask as sat in the dock on Thursday wearing an orange high-vis shirt.

Police have alleged the 28-year-old and the older Tiwi Islands man were in Darwin when they started arguing over ceremonial arrangements for an extended family member’s funeral.

Major crimes ­officer in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Jak Evans previously alleged the dispute turned ­violent and the younger man used a blunt object to repeatedly beat the older man.

Sgt Evans said when the weapon broke the 28-year-old allegedly used it to stab the older man in the abdomen.

On Thursday, Tipungwuti appeared before Judge John Neill for a first hearing over the murder charge.

Tipungwuti also faced a charge of breaching his bail conditions, in connection to unrelated accusations of violations of a domestic violence order, aggravated assault and failure to appear in court.

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency lawyer Beth Wild said more time was needed than the typical eight-weeks to prepare the case given the severity of the charges.

Ms Wild said she was still waiting for autopsy and toxicology reports to be completed.

No application for bail was made.

Two women who knew the 42-year-old deceased man were in court to watch the proceedings.

Tipungwuti will return to Darwin Local Court on the murder and breach of bail conditions on Wednesday February 2.

His case could be sent to the higher court, with his case due to be referred to a preliminary examination mention.

Mr Neill said the earlier unrelated matters would be assessed separately to the homicide investigation.