Paget murder case: Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely charged over Birdsall Fa’apepele’s death

A magistrate had refused to allow further delays in the case against a bricklayer charged with the stabbing murder of a regional footy player, whose body was found in a field off the Bruce Hwy.

Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely (left) is charged with murdering Birdsall Fa’apepele (right) in the early morning on December 14, 2021 at a field near a Paget caravan park.

Lawyers for a bricklayer charged over the alleged stabbing murder of a Mackay footy player will push to cross examine witnesses as the case moves towards the supreme court.

Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely had been granted supreme court bail on numerous strict conditions in March 2022.

He is charged with murdering Birdsall Fa’apepele in the early morning on December 14, 2021 at a field near a Paget caravan park.

It is alleged the 34-year-old stabbed Mr Fa’apepele, 25, in the neck, face and abdomen at The Park on Farrellys and Broadsound Road.

The younger man’s body was allegedly found in a vacant lot off the Bruce Highway about 3am, about 700m from the caravan park.

Birdsall Faapepele was allegedly stabbed in the head and abdomen at The Park caravan park at the corner of Broadsound Rd and Farrellys Rd in Paget. Picture: Facebook

It is alleged Mr Walker-Ely phoned Triple-0, told police he had stabbed another man and then waited at the location until police arrived before indicating where the incident had occurred.

Mr Walker-Ely had been on remand since he was taken into police custody and charged with murder.

The case was briefly mentioned in Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Solicitor Sean Gibbs, of Fisher Dore Lawyers, said there had been correspondence with police prosecutors regarding the questioning of witnesses.

Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely is charged with murder. Picture: Facebook

The court heard the prosecution had asked for a four-week adjournment to consider and potentially narrow down the 10 witnesses linked to the request, which Mr Gibbs said they did not oppose.

“Well, I am,” Magistrate Damien Dwyer said, questioning why four weeks was necessary

“I’m going to make directions,” he said

“This matter’s been going for almost 12 months.”

Mr Dwyer said there had already been an extension regarding the police brief of evidence and he was not going to allow another one.

“It’s an interest to the community, it’s an interest to (Mr Walker-Ely), it’s an interest to (Mr Fa’apepele’s) … the matter’s got to move along,” Mr Dwyer said.

Paperwork needed to be filed by November 22 with a response by December 2.

The matter was listed against for December 14.

Originally published as Paget murder case: Steven Dean Michael Walker-Ely charged over Birdsall Fa’apepele’s death