ACCUSED killer Melissa Welsh elected to remain in the Dubbo Local Court cells yesterday when a charge of murder was brought before Magistrate Andrew Eckhold.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 30-year-old was represented by a solicitor from the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS).
She did not enter a plea or apply for bail.
Welsh is alleged to have stabbed Reginald Mumford in the chest at his home in Smith Street, Coonamble, between 6am and 7am on Thursday, July 3.
Mr Mumford, 79, died in Coonamble hospital a short time later.
A crime scene was established by officers from Castlereagh Local Area Command and the State Crime Command Homicide Squad.
Strike Force Devlin detectives arrested Welsh on Tuesday. She was charged at Coonamble police station and refused bail pending yesterday's court appearance.
Magistrate Andrew Eckhold ordered the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to complete a brief of evidence by August 20.
The murder charge was adjourned to September 8.
Welsh was ordered to appear at Tamworth Local Court via audio visual link from jail.
The DPP prosecutor said forensic reports (to determine the exact cause of Mr Mumford's death) would not be available by September.
Magistrate Eckhold said the delay was expected.
"Resources are stretched," he said.
"There is a dearth of forensic pathologists world-wide."
Bail was formally refused by the court.
Mr Mumford is understood to have been a long-term resident of Coonamble.
He was described by community members as "a harmless old man who wouldn't hurt a fly".
Welsh is understood to have been living in Mr Mumford's house. They were not related.
