WHERE was the Director of Public Prosecutions?
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A 36-year-old Mandurama man facing a murder charge made his first appearance before the Bathurst Local Court this week but nobody could explain why the office of the DPP was not present to prosecute the case.
Simon Peter Braddon, a solid man with short reddish hair and beard, was led handcuffed into the dock for a brief mention of his case following his arrest on Thursday, December 23 over the death of Gregory Partridge at Mandurama on Tuesday, September 28.
Braddon’s solicitor, Shane Cunningham, told magistrate Jan Stevenson he understood police prosecutor Sergeant Brett Donaghy might make reference to the murder charge and the need for at least a six-week adjournment for transcripts of statements to be completed.
“I don’t know why the DPP is not here,” Mr Cunningham said.
Ms Stevenson ordered a brief to be served on Braddon by Monday, March 7 for Braddon to reply by Monday, March 28.
Mr Cunningham said bail was not being applied for as Braddon was remanded in custody for two months.
Homicide detectives had arrested Braddon and he had been taken to the Bathurst police station where he was charged.
Police allege Braddon was responsible for the death of Gregory Partridge, whose body was discovered at a home on Gold Street, Mandurama on Tuesday, September 28 last year.
The 50-year-old man was allegedly attacked in his home the night before his body was discovered, police said at the time of Braddon’s arrest.
Strike Force Minehan, comprising detectives from State Crime Command’s homicide squad with the assistance of Chifley Local Area Command, was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged violent death of Mr Partridge.