Lawyer for murder accused seeks to examine witnesses
A solicitor for a man accused of murder is due to argue she should be able to cross-examine four witnesses ahead of her client’s potential trial.
Gold Coast man Aaron Smith was charged with murder over the death of a 33-year-old man following an altercation on May 20, 2022 in a unit in the Brisbane Suburb of Moorooka.
The alleged victim was stabbed in the throat and abdomen and was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition.
Smith, aged 20 at the time, was initially charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm but this charge was upgraded to murder after the injured man died in hospital.
Smith’s matter was mentioned on Monday in Brisbane Magistrates Court and his solicitor, Ann-Maree Russo, applied for a directions hearing on her application to cross-examine witnesses.
“The Crown have refused the defence’s request to cross examine four witnesses,” Ms Russo said.
A police statement in 2022 said the altercation at the unit broke out between four people and the alleged victim was given first aid by officers at the scene.
Magistrate Andrew Moloney set a date for a directions hearing on March 12.
Smith, who also faces a charge of unlawful possession of weapons, was not required to appear in court on Monday and remains in custody.
