‘Could be 12 months’: DNA and telco data delay Lar Sue murder case

A Townsville massage parlour owner charged with murder will remain in custody as police try to collect phone records and get DNA results. Read the latest.

Lar Sue, 31, was charged with murder this week after allegedly stabbing his wife's lover to death.

A Townsville massage parlour owner charged with murder will remain in custody as police try to collect phone records and get DNA results.

Lar Sue, 31, was charged with murder after he allegedly fatally stabbed a 26-year-old man in Kirwan on May 27.

In order for the murder charge to progress through the courts, Queensland Police need to submit a ‘brief of evidence’.

Police prosecutor sergeant Tim Madsen said officers were still in the process of collecting all evidence.

“The major drivers behind a delay are going to be the DNA and telco statements,” Sgt Madsen said.

Lar Sue.

“The turnaround for telco statements is usually around six months at the moment... we’re at the mercy of outside agencies for the provision of material.”

Telco statements are phone and data records belonging to providers like Telstra and Optus.

The wait for DNA results is even worse — Sgt Madsen estimated the wait could be over 12 months, but couldn’t say for sure, because the state-run forensic lab is currently providing no time estimates to any Queensland Police officers about the progress of DNA work.

“The section (forensic lab) has been the subject of an inquiry, there has been individuals in charge who’ve left, and as you know it’s been over the news and there’s been much coverage about it,” Sgt Madsen told the court.

“A not unreasonable expectation could be 12 months.”

The matter was adjourned to December 12, 2024.

Originally published as ‘Could be 12 months’: DNA and telco data delay Lar Sue murder case