Bobby Andrew Weaver fronts court, accused of murdering teacher

The intentions of a man accused of murdering his long-time neighbour, a teacher whose body was found buried in a freezer southwest of Brisbane, have been shared as the case returns to court.

Three years after a beloved Ipswich teacher was found dead and buried in a freezer, the man accused of his murder has fronted an Ipswich court.

Bobby Andrew Weaver, 28, stands charged with the murder of his long-time neighbour, David Thornton, who was a retired Bremer High School teacher.

Mr Thornton’s body was found buried in a freezer in his Goodna backyard in April 2019, after his family reported him missing in March.

Mr Weaver was extradited to Queensland from Byron Bay shortly after, and has since been remanded in custody.

His full list of charges include murder, misconduct with a corpse by interfering, enter premises with intent, three counts of fraud (dishonest application of property of another), two counts of receiving tainted property, stealing, stealing a firearm or ammunition, unlawful possession of weapons category A/B/M (used to commit indictable offence), and four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

High school teacher David Thornton.

In early 2022, the court heard Mr Weaver’s legal representation needed more time to review the large brief of material, having only recently taken over the matter.

At the time, the defence indicated they were unsure which, if any, witnesses they would cross-examine.

On October 26, 2022, Mr Weaver’s legal aid lawyer Alexis Oxley told the Ipswich Magistrates Court the defence had now forwarded their intentions for cross-examination to the prosecution.

She requested an adjournment for the prosecution to respond and for the defence to then take further instructions.

The matter was adjourned to November 16, and Mr Weaver was further remanded in custody.

Originally published as Bobby Andrew Weaver fronts court, accused of murdering teacher