The upcoming double-murder trial involving Bega man Murray Deakin has been postponed over fears of the transmission of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
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The NSW Department of Communities and Justice said this week all new jury trials have been temporarily suspended while the empanelment process for jurors is reviewed, with a focus on drastic social distancing measures.
Deakin, who was aged 20 at the time of his arrest, was due to face a NSW Supreme Court jury trial in Sydney on April 27. He pleaded not guilty last year to murdering his grandmother Gail Winner and former police officer Mick Horne in 2018, due to mental illness.
Prosecutors allege Deakin stabbed 69-year-old Ms Winner to death at her Bega home and then killed 54-year-old retired Merimbula police officer Mick Horne with a hammer during an alleged carjacking while allegedly attempting to evade police on Friday, June 1, 2018.
Deakin is also facing one count of grievous bodily harm with intent to murder, after allegedly also attacking his grandfather Thomas Winner with a knife at the married couple's East St home.
NSW attorney general Mark Speakman said he supports changes to the way courts are being run as the government attempts to minimise the spread of COVID-19, while keeping the courts running.
All new Supreme and District Court jury trials were suspended until further notice this week, with trials already underway set to be the last for possibly months.
The Local Court system will look to use more audio visual link technology to minimise the number of people in courtrooms, which has been limited to just eight.
"Court staff and participants will continue to be provided with the latest information on self-protection and hygiene. In addition, the Department of Communities and Justice will be working in partnership with NSW Health on further measures to reduce the impact of coronavirus," Mr Speakman said.
"I acknowledge this will cause inconvenience, which is why a range of additional options to mitigate disruptions are being discussed with heads of jurisdiction."
Mr Speakman said the department is investigating methods of centralising Local Court bail applications and promoting the use of judge-only trials "by consent, where possible".
"For example, sentencing matters may be an area where any backlog could be worked through," he said.
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