A man charged with murder says he should not be held in prison

An 18-year-old woman accused of murder “threw a tantrum” and refused to appear in court via video link

A young woman “threw a tantrum” and refused to appear in court via video link from prison to enter a plea to a charge of murder, a Tasmanian court has heard.

A prison guard told Magistrate Duncan Fairley that 20 year old Nikiya Lee Coleman had lost the right to take phone calls in the women’s prison after drugs were brought into the prison.

“She wanted to call her lawyer but could not. She said she would not be able to apply for bail because of that. She threw a tantrum, slammed doors and carried on and has refused to appear in court today,” the guard said.

Magistrate Fairley adjourned the matter till April 4.

Coleman is one of four people charged with murder in relation to the death of Dean Jupp at his Sprent home in January

‘I’m being left to rot’: Sprent murder accused wants out of jail

A MAN accused of murder in relation to the death of a Sprent property owner in January has launched a tirade in the Devonport Magistrate’s Court.

Blaise Christopher Baddeley told Magistrate Duncan Fairley being wrongly accused had turned his life upside down and he was being treated like he was guilty of a crime he did not commit.

“Where are the facts?,” he asked.

“My life is equal to the next persons. I want this case fast tracked.

“I am being left to rot for a crime I know nothing about. I am in maximum security, handcuffed and locked down 22 and a half hours a day.

“I am waking up in prison, eating prison food and for what?”

Baddeley is one of four people charged with murder in relation to the death of Dean Jupp at his Chilcotts Rd property.

Tasmania Police are investigating a suspicious death in Sprent. Picture: Helen Kempton.

He is also charged with burglary, stealing, stealing a firearm and unlawfully setting fire to property.

The body of 59-year-old Dean Jupp was discovered after firefighters were called by a member of the public to report a car was on fire at his property.

Police said Mr Jupp had sustained significant head injuries and was found about 10m from the burnt-out car.

Baddeley has not yet entered a plea to the charges and was remanded in custody to reappear on March 23.

Dane Pyke, 25, from East Devonport, was charged earlier this month with murder and other offences.

Two weeks later, 18-year-old Nikiya Coleman was charged with murder and remanded in custody after a brief appearance in the Devonport Magistrates Court.

Mitchell Flanagan is also yet to enter a plea to the same charges

Originally published as A man charged with murder says he should not be held in prison