William John Currey has murder case adjourned as forensic lab results delay completion of brief of evidence

The brief of evidence for a man accused of murder is being held up by delays within the state government’s forensic lab, a court has been told.

The case of a man accused of murder has been adjourned after it was revealed that delays within the state-run forensics laboratory were holding up disclosure of the brief of evidence.

William John Currey, 32, was not required to be in court when the matter was mentioned on Friday, with his solicitor Kirsty Smith mentioning the matter in his absence.

Mr Currey Aaron John Leslie Bunt, 29, were charged with murder arising from the death of Len Andrew Hegarty who was found dead in a Ruthven St, North Toowoomba, home on Christmas Eve last year.

Police allege Mr Hegarty was the victim of an assault at his North Toowoomba home, with the 53-year-old killed as a result of the alleged injuries he suffered.

Neither man has been required to enter a plea to their charges, and have both been remanded in custody since their arrests in December.

In Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday Ms Smith revealed a forensic pathologists report was still outstanding from the police brief of evidence.

Police prosecutor Bettina Trenear told the court that best estimates indicated the Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services lab was facing delays between six and nine months.

Magistrate Kay Ryan adjourned the matter to August 31, 2022, so the court could be updated on the progress of the pathology report.

There was no application for bail and Mr Currey was remanded to remain in custody.