Keith Kerinauia to face trial for Declan Laverty’s alleged murder at Darwin BWS in March

The court heard there was sufficient evidence to place the teenager on his trial in the Supreme Court for the alleged murder of 20-year-old bottleshop attendant Declan Laverty.

Declan Laverty was farewelled at a funeral service in Cairns on March 31. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emily Barker

The man who allegedly stabbed Declan Laverty to death during a routine shift at a Darwin bottleshop in March has been committed to face trial for the 20-year-old’s murder.

Keith Kerinauia, 19, appeared in the Darwin Local Court on Wednesday where judge Alan Woodcock ruled the evidence against him was sufficient to elevate the case to the higher court.

Crown prosecutor Marty Aust formally read the charges to Kerinauia, who was not required to enter a plea, which also included the alleged robbery of clothing, an iPhone and AirPods from a 13-year-old boy.

Other charges now set to go before a jury include making a threat to kill and two counts of aggravated assault while armed with a knife.

“You further stand charged that on the same day and at the same place you did murder Declan Laverty,” Mr Aust said.

“It’s my understanding that a prima facie case has been conceded, having spoken with (defence lawyers) Mr (Jon) Tippett and Mr (Peter) Maley this morning,” he said.

“For completeness, your honour, I can indicate that the conduct comprising counts four, five, six and seven is captured in full on numerous CCTV cameras at the BWS location.”

Mr Woodcock remanded Kerinauia in custody until August 24 before addressing the accused man directly.

Declan Laverty.

“Having considered the evidence, it is sufficient to place Keith Kerinauia on his trial for charges one, two, four, five, six and seven as read,” he said.

“I direct that he be committed for trial to the next sitting of the Supreme Court on the 24th of August.

“You matter has been committed to the Supreme Court, I’ve remanded you in custody and excused you.

“Your lawyers will go along to the next listing next month and they’ll keep you updated about what’s happening.”

Mr Woodcock adjourned four other charges, including a separate alleged aggravated robbery, until August 21 when Mr Aust said they would “hopefully” be “ready to resolve” in the Local Court.

“I spoke briefly with Mr Maley and Mr Tippett this morning, this is likely to be a plea in the Local Court but what, perhaps, out of an abundance of caution we’ll do, is put it in the directions hearing list in a few weeks time,” he said.

At Kerinauia’s last appearance in May, Mr Aust successfully applied for CCTV footage from the night in question to be suppressed from publication.

“I’m not going to go into what it depicts but it goes to the allegation and the conduct,” he said.