Accused killer of Stuart Rattle faces court

Victoria

Interior designer Stuart Rattle on his rural property near Daylesford. Photo: Eamon Gallagher

A lawyer for the man accused of murdering prominent Victorian interior designer Stuart Rattle wants to quiz 30 witnesses at his committal hearing, many of them on the accused's conduct and demeanour.

Michael O'Neill, 48, appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday to face one charge of murder over the death of his partner, Mr Rattle, who died in December last year.

Mr Rattle's body was discovered after a fire at the couple's South Yarra home. A police charge sheet alleges he was killed by Mr O'Neill in the days before the fire.

Defence counsel Jacqui Caust told the court she hoped to cross-examine 30 witnesses at a committal, to ask about Mr O'Neill's relationship with Mr Rattle and about the accused man's demeanour and conduct after the fire and during the police investigation.

Advertisement

Ms Caust said Mr O'Neill was spoken to police at the scene of the fire and also in an a recorded interview, in which he was asked 600 questions before he answered.

Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said he wanted time to read the police brief before he heard Ms Caust's application.

Mr O'Neill, who appeared via video link, was remanded in custody to appear before the court on July 3.

Follow this link:
Accused killer of Stuart Rattle faces court