Lawyers have successfully opposed a bid to cross-examine a 14-year-old boy who had his spleen removed following an alleged bashing in Wodonga.
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Co-accused Dylan Robertson and Dylan Meyers returned to Wodonga Magistrates Court yesterday.
Robertson's case was adjourned to January 20 for committal mention, giving time for the Crown to consider an offer to plea.
In relation to Meyers' case, the court heard the Defence was seeking leave to cross-examine two witnesses, including the 14-year-old complainant.
Defence lawyer Sandra Gaunt raised issues including the complainant's state of mind and how the complainant knew her client.
"It's unclear as to exactly how he knows my client, and we ought to be entitled to be able to explore that," she said.
Solicitor Kate Ottrey accepted the Defence's need to cross-examine the other witness, but said for the 14-year-old, there was no evidence on the brief that contradicted his version of events.
"There is a need to minimise trauma to child witnesses, especially when they're the victim of a serious injury," she said.
"There's significant evidence on the brief which corroborates the evidence he is proposed to give."
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Ms Ottrey said in relation to alleged psychiatric issues, medical notes read the complainant said, 'No, not now' and told medical examiners he'd heard mumbling voices for years, but it was her submission that was not evidence of hallucination.
The need to protect child witnesses was among the reasons Magistrate Ian Watkins refused the application by the Defence, in relation to the 14-year-old.
The case will return to court in March 9.
