10 Feb 2006

Norfolk murder accused to be held on Australian mainland

8:25 am on 10 February 2006

A New Zealand man accused of murdering an Australian woman on Norfolk Island will be held in Sydney until a committal hearing is held in three months.

Glenn McNeill is charged with killing Sydney woman Janelle Patton in 2002.

Brad Markham reports.

"The 28-year-old man Nelson man entered no plea when he appeared in the Norfolk Island court yesterday. The acting magistrate for Norfolk Island says there are large volumes of evidence about the murder, and the prosecution will need three months to prepare a brief."

He's ordered Mr McNeill to be held in a New South Wales prison, until the next full hearing in May. Janelle Patton's family members are relieved court proceedings have begun, although they have mixed emotions about a possible trial. Carol Patton says the arrest is a positive development, but having to relive the events around her daughter's death is very painful. This is Brad Markham.