Kristie Powell’s alleged murderer said only a few words during his brief appearance in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, but there were certainly memorable.
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“May I enter a plea?” Bhanu Kirkman asked Magistrate Mark Douglass politely as he sat quietly inside one of the sparse audio visual studios connected to Silverwater jail.
“You’ve got a criminal lawyer with a lot of experience Mr Kirkman, I suggest you let your lawyer do the talking,” Magistrate Douglass responded.
It was an unexpected footnote in an otherwise run-of-the-mill mention for a case in its preliminary stages, even one involving an allegation of murder: orders were made for the brief of evidence to be served on defence lawyers and all parties agreed to a long adjournment date.
Kirkman stands accused of killing Ms Powell inside her home on Lorking Street in Bellambi late on the evening of October 4.
Her body was found by a friend early the following morning.
Officers from Wollongong Police District immediately launched an investigation, supported by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
A warrant was issued for Kirkman’s arrest on outstanding but unrelated charges a few days later and he was named as a person of interest in Ms Powell’s death.
Acting on a tip-off, police located Kirkman in a demountable building near Maitland Railway Station about 4pm on October 8.
He was arrested and taken to Maitland police station where he was interview by Wollongong detectives and charged with Ms Powell’s murder.
He fronted Maitland Local Court last Tuesday and was remanded in cutsody.
Kirklman did not apply for bail on Wednesday and it was formally refused.
The case will return to court on December 19.