William Chaplin murder case will go to Supreme Court

An accused killer who has lambasted legal delays got his wish on Tuesday when he was committed to stand trial for murder over the death of Gerogery man William Chaplin.
The man was clearly relieved when Albury Local Court magistrate Richard Funston refused a further adjournment and set his NSW Supreme Court arraignment date.
The man, who cannot be named as he was aged 16 at the time of the alleged murder, appeared via a video link to Sydney's Long Bail jail.
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Mr Funston said he understood the man's frustrations that left him feeling like he had been "languishing" in jail while nothing proceeded with his case.
The man previously told the court he had been in jail for the best part of two years and "got nowhere".
"I have been ready for a trial date for the last six months and all I get is adjourned and adjourned."
But after Mr Funston's decision, he will now be arraigned before the Supreme Court in Sydney on April 9, though a trial is not expected to begin until late this year at the earliest.
Director of Public Prosecutions representative Caitlin Murphy said on Tuesday she had been instructed to seek an adjournment of the man's case for four weeks.
Ms Murphy said that was because her office sought to align his case with that of co-accused Paul Anthony Watson, as the intention was to conduct a joint trial in the Supreme Court.
She said that was the appropriate course as it was alleged the men acted together in the murder of Mr Chaplin.
But Mr Funston agreed with the man's defence - and pointed to the accused's previous protestations at feeling like he had been left to "languish" in Sydney's Long Bay jail - and refused Ms Murphy's application.
"He's made his position loud and clear on the last three or four occasions."
The case of Watson, who did not front court, was adjourned to March 30 to allow for service of the police brief.
"I can indicate," defence lawyer Ian McGuiness said, "that eventually it will be linked up with the other man when the trial starts."
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EARLIER:
A man has been committed to stand trial in the NSW Supreme Court for the alleged murder of William Chaplin at Gerogery a decade ago.
He will now be arraigned before the court in Sydney on April 9, with a trial not expected to begin until at least the end of this year.
The man, who cannot be named as he was a minor at the time of the alleged offence in 2010, appeared relieved when committed on Tuesday morning by Albury Local Court magistrate Richard Funston.
Director of Public Prosecutions representative Caitlin Murphy had asked for an adjournment of four weeks as her office sought to align the man's case with that of co-accused, Paul Anthony Watson, who having been extradited from Victoria has now also been charged with murder.
Watson was arrested and charged with murder last week.
Ms Murphy said the intention was to prosecute both men at a joint trial.
She said that was the appropriate course as it was alleged the men acted together in the murder of Mr Chaplin.
But Mr Funston agreed with the man's defence - and pointed to the accused's previous protestations at feeling like he had been left to "languish" in Sydney's Long Bay jail - and refused Ms Murphy's application.
He then committed the man to trial.
The case of Watson, who did not front court, was adjourned to March 30 to allow for service of the police brief.
His defence said it was anticipated that Watson's matter would be expedited, allowing for an eventual joint trial.
Neither man applied for bail.