Falconio trial postponed to allow further investigations

The Australian trial of a mechanic charged with murdering a British backpacker on an outback highway in 2001 was postponed today, less than two weeks before it was due to start – to allow further investigations in the case, a judge said.

Northern Territory Chief Justice Brian Martin said the trial of Bradley John Murdoch on charges of murdering Peter Falconio – which had been due to start May 3 – may now not take place until October.

Further details of the fresh investigations were not immediately available.

Murdoch is suspected of shooting Falconio after flagging down the camper van the British backpacker was travelling in with girlfriend Joanne Lees on July 14, 2001.

Prosecutors say Murdoch also punched Lees and bundled her into his pick-up truck, but she managed to escape.

Falconio’s body has never been found despite a police search covering an area of the Outback the size of France, involving aircraft, police on motorcycles and Aboriginal trackers.

“Further investigations concerning possible evidentiary material must be concluded,” Martin said after a hearing today. “It would be inappropriate to give any details of the material or the investigations.”

He said the trial could not start until the investigations – by both prosecutors and defence attorneys – were completed.

“I urge the media and the public at large not to speculate as to the nature of the investigations or the material under consideration,” he added.

Martin said he hoped to set a trial date at a hearing on May 20.

“A number of dates have come under consideration and it may be that the trial will not take place until later in the year, in October,” he said.

More than 78 witnesses including members of the Falconio family and Lees were to testify at the trial.