A 26 year old, Mr Barnett, is facing charges related to the murder of a Laidley (QLD) father who was found dead outside his home in mid-2022. According to police, the male was attacked by a group after the power to his house was cut and before the residence was set on fire. He sustained at least six stab wounds to his chest and torso. The court has heard that the attack may have been motivated by a $1000 “hit” allegedly placed against a family member of one of the co-accused.

He is charged with murder, arson, and the attempted murder of another woman who was present at the home. He has not yet entered a plea.

Bail Application

The accused has been refused bail in the Brisbane Supreme Court of Queensland after spending more than 2 years in custody.

During the bail hearing, Mr Barnett’s lawyer argued that his prolonged custody – over two years since his arrest – constituted a significant change in circumstances. His lawyer contended that Mr Barnett believed he was merely acting as “muscle” rather than having any intention to escalate the situation and proposed stringent bail conditions.

However, the Crown expressed concerns about the “level of uncertainty” surrounding his proposed bail conditions, including vague details about his employment and unstable living conditions. The Crown also argued that the strength of the Crown’s case suggested that the accused was unlikely to face undue pre-sentence custody if convicted of manslaughter.

Decision

Justice Treston ultimately denied bail, citing the “little prospect” of the accused serving excessive time in pre-sentence custody relative to the seriousness of the offence and the strength of the Crown’s case.  She said this was weighed against “the circumstances and seriousness of the offence” and the strength of the Crown’s case.

With several co-accused still awaiting court date, and a 16 year old already have plead guilty to the murder of the victim, the legal proceedings in this case are ongoing and complex.

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