James George De Marco, Arlie Lee Fowler murder charges in Rockhampton court

An update in the alleged murder case of Anuisha Bone has revealed when some of the evidence gathered by police might get tested before it reaches the Supreme Court. Read more here.

Police have arrested two men and charged them with the murder of Anuisha Bone.

Some of the details of the allegations against two men accused of murdering a Rockhampton man by shooting him will likely be revealed next year during a committal hearing.

James George De Marco, 26, and Arlie Lee Fowler, 33, have been charged with the murder of 34-year-old Anuisha Bone, who was found by a member of the public about 3.50am on November 17, 2023 on the Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road.

Both men – who have an array of other related charges – had their matters mentioned in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, December 11, where the court heard their defence lawyers are working on who and what questions would be asked during a cross examination committal hearing.

Mr De Marco has also been charged with possessing drugs, unlawfully possessing a category A, B or M weapon, two counts of unlawfully possessing a category D, H or R weapon and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, in relation to a roadside stop at the corner of Aquatic Place and High Street in Rockhampton the day after the alleged murder.

James George De Marco being walked to the Rockhampton Watch House on January 17 2024. He was charged with the alleged murder of Anuisha Bone.

Mr Fowler has been charged with one count each of possessing tainted property and drug utensils after he was stopped by police at the corner of Karraschs Road and Pialba Burrum Heads Road in Hervey Bay on November 22, 2023.

He has also been charged with four counts of possessing drugs on November 1 and November 22 at Leichhardt Street in Parkhurst, one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle on November 21 in Rockhampton, three counts of unlawfully possessing category A, B or M weapons and three of category D, H or R on November 21 at the corner of Auton and Johnson Road, The Caves.

Mr Fowler’s lawyer Jason Grant, who appeared via telephone, told the court he had been in discussions with Mr De Marco’s lawyer Andrew Owens about the cross examination of witnesses and police prosecutor Clancy Fox told the court police would apply for the two men’s cross examinations to occur in the one hearing.

“We’re still working our way through the scope of which witness will be sought,” Mr Grant said.

“There’s also been some funding issues which have delayed the matter, but we continue to work on it as fast as we can.”

Mr Fox said there would likely be some correspondence between the three parties between now and the end of January for all to agree on the cross examination scope.

Both men’s matters were adjourned to January 29 and the men were remanded in custody.

No pleas have been entered for any charges.

Originally published as James George De Marco, Arlie Lee Fowler murder charges in Rockhampton court