Crown solicitor Paul Stanley yesterday alleged murder accused Jason Aroha Wiremu Hiroki seriously assaulted Mr Katopodis, leaving blood splatter through Hiroki’s Mt St Thomas home.

Mr Stanley claimed the level of violence involved in the fight had ultimately led to Mr Katopodis’ death.

However, defence solicitor Nerissa Keay told the court a witness had given extensive interviews with police, alleging Mr Katopodis had left the premises bleeding but alive.

Hiroki, 39, is accused of killing the 45-year-old between 4.30pm and 11.30pm on July 27 last year, the same date the man was last seen with friends at the Wollongong Hellenic Club.

Mr Katopodis’ body has never been located but he has been missing since that night.

Mentioning the matter in Wollongong Local Court yesterday, Mr Stanley requested the court consider relisting the committal hearing, which is currently earmarked for June 15, arguing the parties had yet to agree about witnesses.

Ms Keay told the court she wanted to call six witnesses in the proceedings, including one witness who was allegedly party to an admission by Hiroki.

Mr Stanley said the pair were still debating which witnesses were to be called and on what grounds, but argued four potential witnesses would not be part of the Crown case.

The court was told a blood splatter expert report was still missing from the brief of evidence and was set to be served in the next two to three weeks.

Mr Stanley said the statement was crucial, arguing the Crown would not know the full strength of its case until it was available.

Ms Keay disagreed, stating there was evidence an altercation had taken place as there was blood found at the scene and the presence of the blood was not an issue.

Magistrate Les Mabbutt noted the matter had been before the court for six months and had been set down for committal proceedings in March, despite some outstanding items.

He ordered the remaining brief items to be served by May 25 and adjourned the matter to June 8.