Man faces new trial over death

ABOUT 40 people will be called to give evidence in the trial against a former Townsville soldier accused of murdering his ex-partner in a frenzied stabbing attack.

It is the second time Dane Andrew Pilcher ( pictured) will face a jury over the 2019 death of Corrine Henderson, 32, his girlfriend of two years.

Pilcher’s case was mentioned in the Townsville Supreme Court yesterday, just days before his second trial is due to commence.

Justice David North ruled that the jury who would be empaneled to decide the case would be told about Pilcher’s previous trial for the death.

“They are going to be told at the outset that there was a previous trial and they are going to be told to ignore it,” he said.

“There was a deal of publicity at the time of the first trial.” Pilcher’s barrister James Godbolt and Crown Prosecutor Nigel Rees agreed with this.

Mr Rees said he would rely on 105 forensic photographs as part of his case.

In court yesterday, Justice North said Pilcher’s intention, level of intoxication and if he was provoked would be issues to be decided during the trial.

Pilcher faces a charge of murder, meaning the jury has three options.

It can find him guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter or not guilty of all charges.

According to Queensland’s Criminal Code, a person who unlawfully kills in the heat of passion caused by sudden provocation, and before there is time for the person’s passion to cool, the person is guilty of manslaughter only.

The trial will begin in the Townsville Supreme Court on Monday.