A LAWYER for the man accused of the murder of young mother Teah Rose Luckwell argues his client is unfit to plead to the charges.
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Jesse Leigh Green, 27, is being held in Long Bay Hospital accused of killing the 22-year-old in her South Tamworth unit on March 28, last year, after a neighbour found her body.
"The practical effect is that we are unable to obtain instructions to sign a waiver for your honour," defence solicitor Frank Falcomata told Tamworth Local Court on Wednesday.
"Mr Green will go for a psychiatric examination."
Green is yet to enter a plea to a raft of nine charges including stalking and intimidation, aggravated break and enter, larceny, using an offensive weapon to commit an indictable offence, and murder.
The Crown was to submit its case statement on Wednesday, but facts in that statement are still not agreed to by the accused, the court heard.
Evidence in the case spans some 6000 pages, and the court heard five of the charges are likely to be committed to the NSW Supreme Court for trial or sentence. The other four counts will be dealt with on a 166 certificate.
"We should take our time your honour," Mr Falcomata told the court.
But magistrate George Breton did not agree.
"Well it's already taken a lot of time, I don't want to give you too much more time," he said.
"I understand there are issues with the Crown case statement so I am going to give a further adjournment in this case particularly given the serious nature of the charges and your client's condition."
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The matter is adjourned until mid-May in the hope the Crown case statement can be agreed upon. Green made no application for bail.
The murder case first came to court almost a year ago, and all parties were slammed by magistrate Roger Prowse in January for the lack of movement on the case.
Police allege Green knew Ms Luckwell before he allegedly attacked and murdered her in her Robert Street unit.
No DNA evidence of Green has been uncovered by forensics at the home of Ms Luckwell, but DNA has been found in a home close by where some items had been stolen, the court has previously been told.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
