Mark Peckham, Daniel Fitton to face joint trial after Dubbo stabbing death of George John Kirk
A Newcastle man and his alleged accomplice charged for their role in the fatal stabbing of a man in Dubbo will face a month-long trial in February.
Two men charged over their alleged role in the stabbing death of George John Kirk in the state’s central west will face a joint trial in February next year.
Newcastle man Mark Peckham was charged with murder after Orana-Mid Western Police found the 39 year-old suffering multiple stab wounds to the chest inside a home at Dubbo just after midnight on August 16, 2023.
Mr Kirk was treated by paramedics but died at the scene of the Margaret Cres home.
Following investigations by Strike Force Honefoss detectives arrested Peckham about a month later.
CCTV was then released as part of investigations before Campbelltown man Daniel Fitton was arrested in October, 2023.
He was charged with intending to hinder the apprehension of Peckham by allegedly cleaning a white Hyundai Tucson, intending to hinder the investigation and taking possession of a knife - a weapon used to allegedly kill Mr Kirk.
Police allege the pair went to the home in search of methylamphetamine.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges and will defend them at a jury trial next year.
In Sydney’s Supreme Court this week Fitton’s defence team applied for him to be tried separately but that was denied and a date of February 26 was confirmed alongside Peckham.
The court heard there was confidence it would be a four week estimate with the Crown Prosecutor to make an application for an additional one or two jurors to be empanelled at the beginning of the trial.
The court also heard the Crown had engaged a police expert on the topic of blood splatters and would use evidence of phone messages during the trial.
Originally published as Mark Peckham, Daniel Fitton to face joint trial after Dubbo stabbing death of George John Kirk
