Patrick Allen Boon to stand trial for murdering Fred Tuffs on job site off Culgoora Rd, Wee Waa | Strike Force Magna

Patrick Allan Boon was committed to stand trial in Moree Local Court last week on one charge of murdering Fred Tuffs near Wee Waa on June 13, last year.

During the proceedings before magistrate Michael Daikin, Boon waived his right to a contested committal hearing, instead electing to head straight to trial in the NSW Supreme Court.

Boon made no application for bail during the appearance and it was formally refused by Mr Daikin.

He will remain in custody until he is arraigned in the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney in June.

One count of causing grievous bodily harm or wounding with intent to murder was withdrawn by prosecutors with the Crown to push the charge of murder at trial.

Mr Tuffs, 57, was allegedly attacked by Boon with a wrench and a sledgehammer at the worksite off Culgoora Road at Wee Waa, where they were both working.

Boon was initially charged with wounding with intent to murder, but his charges were upgraded to murder a day later after Mr Tuffs died in hospital from massive head injuries.

Boon and Mr Tuffs, both concreting contractors, were working on the new $41 million Cotton Seed Distributors development.

The pair, who both were contracted for work for Queensland-based company, Boodles Concreting, were at the building site, operated by Richard Crookes Constructions.

At the time, police alleged Boon left the jobsite after attacking Mr Tuffs, when co-workers came to his aid.

Boon then allegedly armed himself with a .323 bolt-action rifle and went to the Imperial Hotel in Rose St, Wee Waa, triggering a siege with police.

More than a dozen officers surrounded the hotel, and cordoned off the street. After a short siege, he was arrested. The firearm was never discharged, police said.

He has been in custody since the day of the alleged murder, last year.

Police from Strike Force Magna – the operation set-up by Barwon detectives to investigate Mr Tuffs’ death – recovered the sledgehammer as well as the wrench they allege Boon attacked his co-worker with. 

Boon was never charged over the alleged siege or firearm.

During the arraignment proceedings in Sydney in June, Boon is expected to formally plead not guilty to the charge of murder.

The Crown will then outline where the trial will be held, which could be in Moree or Sydney, and how many witnesses will be called to give evidence.