Murder hearing date set
Carer denies charge
A FOUR-day murder trial has been listed for November for a Far Northern man accused of killing a disabled pensioner.
Terrance Steven Arthur Barallon has denied murdering Robert Duffy at his Mooroobool home last year.
The 62-year-old’s body was allegedly found with a belt around his neck and a wad of tissue down his throat on February 20, 2017 after concerns were raised by interstate family members.
Mr Duffy’s injuries included a fractured skull and ribs and blunt force trauma to his head and chest.
Police also found tape across his nose and cords had bound his neck, body and hands.
Barallon had lived with Mr Duffy and acted as his carer at the Dodd St home.
He was arrested in Port Douglas.
Yesterday in the Cairns Supreme Court an eight-count indictment was presented against Barallon charging him with murder, stealing, two counts of unlawfully using a motor vehicle and four counts of fraud.
Earlier this year during a committal hearing in the Cairns Magistrates Court Barallon pleaded not guilty to murder and entered no pleas to the remaining charges.
The court was told that Barallon was currently held in custody.
Defence barrister Josh Trevino confirmed the matter would still be a trial and would likely take four days.
Matters are expected to start by about November 26.