Horror teen crash case pushed back
COURT WAITS ON SPECIALIST EVIDENCE
AN EVIDENCE delay has pushed back the court matter of a teenager charged over the deaths of four teenagers in an alleged stolen car crash at Garbutt.
The 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was mentioned in Townsville’s High Risk Youth Court yesterday, day, more than three months since four teenagers were killed in the car he was allegedly driving on June 7.
The children, aged ed between 13 and 17 years s old, were killed when the car hit a traffic light on Bayswater Road. Three ee girls and a boy died at the scene and a large ge memorial remains at the crash site at the cororner of Duckworth Street. eet.
The boy is charged ged with nine offences, including dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and excessive speeding. peeding.
In court on Monday, ay, police prosecution asked Magistrate gistrate Steven Mosch to adjourn the boy’s matter for a committal mention in four weeks.
The prosecution said statements from specialists about DNA examinations and autopsies remained outstanding as the scientific officer had been unable to complete the required material in time.
The boy’s defence lawyer, James Burke, did not oppose the adjournment and did not apply for bail on behalf of the boy. A previous mention inmarch in March heard how the boy was on bail two weeks before the crash.
On March 24, the teen was charged after police allege that he attempted burglary.
On May 25, he was charged after he allegedly stole a mountain bike and a phone from James Cook University.
The boy, who is being held at a Brisbane detention centre, did not appear via video link and his appearance is not required at the next court date.
Journalists were granted permission to remain in the court, which is usually closed, to report on the proceedings.
Mr Mosch acknowledged the high-profile case had a significant public interest and granted the Townsville Bulletin access to be present at the proceeding, along with ABC and Seven News journalists.
The Department of Child Safety opposed media presence, while Youth Justice remained neutral.
Both police prosecution and defence did not oppose media presence.
Mr Mosch set the matter down for another committal mention on September 29.