No plea yet from Daniel John Ridgers in case of alleged Hobart baby shaking murder

Lawyers for a Hobart man accused of murdering a baby say they are awaiting huge amounts of material – including complex hospital records – before he can enter a plea.

Daniel Ridgers, a young Warrane man is in custody after allegedly murdering a 10-month-old baby. Picture: Facebook

A young Warrane man has briefly returned to court after allegedly murdering a 10-month-old baby.

On Friday, Daniel John Ridgers, 25, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court via video link, but did not yet enter pleas to charges of murder and causing grievous bodily harm dating back to November 30.

The mother of the infant and her loved ones were present in court.

Mr Ridgers previously faced a singular charge of grievous bodily harm after allegedly “violently shaking” and dropping the baby in his cot at Warrane.

However, he returned to court with an upgraded charge of murder on December 4 after the baby died at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Mr Ridgers’ lawyer asked Magistrate Michael Daly for an adjournment without plea, saying she was still awaiting disclosure – of “quite substantial” amounts of material including “complex hospital records”.

He was remanded in custody, to reappear in court on February 5.

Tasmania Police previously said the baby presented at the hospital in the early hours of December 1, and remained there in a critical condition.

Police were called to the hospital four hours later, with Mr Ridgers later taken into custody.

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