One of two men accused of murdering Corowa man Christopher Quirk might have his murder charge downgraded.
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That possibility was raised by Director of Public Prosecutions representative Aaron Thomas when Adam Dennis Coats fronted Albury Local Court on Tuesday.
Sporting a black right eye, Coates’ only comment, after magistrate Rodney Brender told him the DPP was having “another look” at the murder charge, was: “Too easy."
Defence solicitor Graham Lamond earlier told Mr Brender that “it would appear there is some issue with the murder charge”.
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Mr Lamond said there had been discussions as to a possible alternative charge, as well as the DPP needing to “finalise its decision” over the murder count.
He said it had always been the situation that while there was one death, there were two separate cases.
With that the matter was further adjourned to February 5, when Coates, 43, will again appear via a video link to jail.
Coates’ co-accused, Heath Kevin Parkinson, also made an appearance from jail via a video link.
Illness had prevented him from appearing in court for a mention of the matter back in May.
But unlike Coates’ matter, nothing was mentioned on any possible charges to his murder charge.
Parkinson’s case was also adjourned to February 5.
Coates is alleged to have intervened in a fight between Mr Quirk and Parkinson, who were both carrying knives, at a property in Vera Street, Corowa, in March.
Parkinson was taken to Albury hospital with stab wounds, which required surgery.
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