Combing through the ‘substantial brief’ of evidence against a man charged with the murder of his wife in a fatal crash at Tumbulgum in October 2015 will take his solicitor weeks, a court has heard.
Edward Kenneth Lord appeared in custody at Lismore Local Court on Tuesday and acknowledged several supporters in the public gallery.
The 53 year-old was initially charged with negligent driving causing death, over what was thought to be a tragic accident, on October 18, when police said their car became airborne before sinking into the Tweed River.
After escaping through his open window, police said Mr Lord dragged his wife Michele from the vehicle and began performing CPR, before she was treated by paramedics and taken to Tweed Hospital, where she died two days later.
Months after the incident,Tweed Detectives launched a homicide investigation which culminated in Mr Lord’s arrest, at his Bonogin home on February 27.
At Southport Magistrates Court on March 1, Magistrate Gary Finger refused a bail application and granted an extradition order from homicide squad detectives for Mr Lord to appear at Byron Bay Local Court the following day.
When he appeared at Byron Bay Local Court Mr Lord was again refused bail and has remained in custody while his case has been mentioned several times at Lismore Local Court.
The court previously heard the brief of evidence against Mr Lord was still being complied by police.
On Tuesday Mr Lord was represented by Mr Bollard who was acting as an agent for Gold Coast based barrister Rod Clifford.
Mr Bollard said Mr Clifford received ‘substantial brief material last week’ that needs to be considered.
He requested Magistrate Peter Bugden adjourn Mr Lord’s matters until late July when a bail application is expected.
Mr Bugden adjourned Mr Lord’s matters until July 19 at Tweed Heads Local Court.
