NT: Commital dates confirmed for Falconio hearing

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2004
NT: Commital dates confirmed for Falconio hearing

DARWIN, Feb 11 AAP - The dates for the preliminary hearing into the murder of British
backpacker Peter Falconio were today confirmed in Darwin Magistrates Court.

Bradley John Murdoch, 45, is charged with the murder of Mr Falconio beside an outback
highway near Barrow Creek, north of Alice Springs, in July 2001.

He is also charged with the unlawful assault and deprivation of liberty of Mr Falconio's
girlfriend Joanne Lees.

Murdoch was not required to attend court for today's brief mention.

The court today heard Murdoch had resolved how he would fund his defence with NT Legal
Aid, allowing the committal dates to be confirmed.

Magistrate John Lowndes set the committal hearing down for three weeks beginning on
May 17, with three further weeks confirmed for August.

He adjourned the matter until March 31 for brief mention, with Murdoch excused from attending.

Murdoch told the court last month he did not want to attend court hearings until the committal.

AAP km/cjh/br

KEYWORD: MURDOCH

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