Nashua man James Andrew Mitchell, 53, who is accused of the hit-run murder of popular Mullumbimby motorised cycle entrepreneur John Foss, was denied bail in Lismore Local Court yesterday.
Mitchell did not appear in court and did not enter a plea. Nor did he apply for bail, which was formally denied by registrar Mark Bromhead on Thursday.
Police have revealed they had to chase Mr Mitchell through two kilometres of rugged bushland at Nashua before capturing him on Wednesday. He was formally charged with murder and dangerous driving occasioning death following many hours of police questioning.
Inspector Greg Jago of Tweed/Byron Local Area Command told Fairfax Radio yesterday, ‘We are aware that both parties knew each other prior to the incident and apparently there was some animosity between them’.
Meanwhile, tributes have flowed for Ross, who was much-loved in the local community and a stalwart volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW at Brunswick Heads. He had just returned from helping four passengers of a rubber ducky that overturned at the Brunswick Bar when the incident occurred.
Police allege Ross was deliberately driven at by Mitchell in a white van and hit from behind while cycling along a quiet section of Coolamon Scenic Drive, Mullumbimby. Police have seized the van for inspection.
