Accused wife and baby murderer Matthew James Cox set to see psychiatrist
A psychiatrist will be sent a “quite extensive” brief to prepare for at least one appointment with a husband charged with the murder of his wife and baby daughter, a court has heard.
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A new, non-DNA-related reason for major delays in the case against an alleged killer husband and father accused of stabbing his wife and baby daughter to death has emerged.
Matthew James Cox is charged with the murders of Tayla Black, 30, and their 11-week-old, Murphy Margaret.
Police will allege the 31-year-old left work early on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, and stabbed his wife and baby in their Bean St, Park Avenue home.
They will further allege Mr Cox flew to Brisbane and attended the Fortitude Valley Police Station which led officers to conduct a welfare check at the Rockhampton home where the bodies of Tayla and Murphy were discovered inside.
Defence lawyer Felicity Davies told Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 6 that an appointment for Mr Cox with a psychiatrist had been scheduled for May 10.
She said the psychiatrist would be sent the “quite extensive” brief to prepare for the appointment and the psychiatrist may need more than one appointment.
“It will take him some time to prepare his report,” Ms Davies said.
There was no mention about the outstanding forensic material raised during the January 24 mention but it was decided the case would not return to court for at least five months.
Mr Cox was remanded in custody with his appearance excused at the next mention which is scheduled for August 7.
The case was transferred to Rockhampton after it was briefly mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, November 27 and last heard in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on December 8, with Legal Aid taking on his case.
Mr Cox has not entered pleas.
He cannot apply for bail in the Magistrate’s Court because of the seriousness of his charges.
Mr Cox remains in custody at Brisbane Correctional Centre.
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Originally published as Accused wife and baby murderer Matthew James Cox set to see psychiatrist
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