Teen murder accused Madison Butler charged with obtaining benefit by deception
A judge has called for separate charges against a young woman to be ‘sorted out’ before she faces a murder trial over the death of a father in Palmerston.
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A teenager accused of murdering a young dad will not have her other charges listed in the murder investigation.
Madison Butler, 18, was charged with the murder of a 18-year-old Kingsley Alley Jr in Driver on Saturday October 8.
The young man’s body was found at sunrise on the driveway of a vacant home near the corner of Waterhouse Crescent and Driver Ave.
The 18-year-old, along with her mother Melissa Jane Clancy, 37; Dechlan Wurramarra, 20; and a 17-year-old boy were charged with murder.
Butler also faced an additional charge of obtaining benefit by deception, with the single matter before Darwin Local Court on Monday.
Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris initially raised concerns that the young woman had been held in custody on the charge which, if found guilty, would likely result in a fine.
“I was a bit worried it was a very minor charge and she was there (in custody) for two months,” Mr Morris said.
The court heard the 18-year-old woman was referred to NT Legal Aid lawyers, with her new barrister requiring time to talk to her client.
Barrister Jane Irwin asked for the minor charges to be listed in the murder hearing.
“No, this is not a matter that is going to the Supreme Court,” Ms Morris said.
“This needs to be sorted out.”
The deception charges were adjourned to December 12, with a preliminary examination mention date for the murder charge still set for January 11.