THE prosecution of South Australian man Colin Michael Newey for the murder of Bronwynne Richardson more than 40 years ago will rely solely on more than 20 civilian witnesses along with police, a court heard yesterday.
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Newey, 61, appeared in Albury Local Court through a video link from jail for a bail application by his solicitor Elizabeth Bushby.
But his release was opposed by Director of Public Prosecutions representative Diana Paterson, who conceded the case against Newey was circumstantial.
“This is a classic case of its kind. It will rely on statements of eyewitnesses alone,” Ms Paterson told magistrate Tony Murray.
“There are certainly no forensic links.”
Ms Paterson said there were witnesses to the abduction of Miss Richardson, 17, from outside a church in Smollett Street, Albury, on October 12, 1973.
A shoe and handbag belonging to her were left behind and her battered body was found two days later in a lagoon west of Albury after a large-scale land and water search.
Newey was arrested in South Australia on July 30 by detectives from the NSW unsolved homicide team and has been charged with abduction, rape and murder.
Ms Paterson said Newey was an unacceptable bail risk on a number of criteria.
It was suggested he may fail to appear at court if released, he could endanger people in the community and may interfere with witnesses.
Ms Bushby said Newey, a disability support pensioner, has lived at the same Housing Department residence in Murray Bridge since 1985.
“He is absolutely firm in his instructions in the matters. He intends to defend them,” Ms Bushby said.
“I think there are issues in relation to the strength of the prosecution case.”
Ms Bushby said there was no forensic evidence and the case relied on different versions from people over a period of time.
Mr Murray told Ms Paterson there was a submission that it was a weak prosecution case.
“It is not a weak Crown case. It is not a strong Crown case,” Ms Paterson responded.
“It is a circumstantial case with some historical background.”
Ms Paterson said there was no protocol for South Australian police to notify their NSW counterparts if Newey failed to comply with bail conditions.
“That is in my view a very important and salient point,” Mr Murray said when refusing bail.
He said if Newey had somewhere to live in NSW, the issues about non-compliance with bail would be removed.
Mr Murray said Newey had maintained at all times his innocence and could spend considerable time on remand before a committal and possible trial.
Police have been given until December 15 to complete a brief of evidence in the case, which is listed for mention that day.
