MATTHEW James Woodroffe-Hill, a 41-year-old resident of Tamworth's Banksia Mental Health Unit, appeared in Tamworth Local Court yesterday charged with the decapitation murder of 82-year-old war veteran Mark Hutchinson.
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Mr Hutchinson's body was discovered in the backyard of his Markham St home in Armidale at about 2pm on January 13 this year.
Woodroffe-Hill, described by homicide detectives as a Tenterfield resident, was arrested at Banksia at about 10.30am yesterday.
It is believed the arrest was carried out as a result of the work of Strike Force Penfold, a special taskforce set up within hours of the crime being
discovered.
Woodroffe-Hill was questioned by detectives at the Tamworth Police Station before being charged with murder yesterday afternoon.
No bail application was lodged.
Yesterday's court hearing, before Magistrate Swain, heard an application for forensic procedures to be carried out.
Police asked for permission to conduct a buccal swab and remove a hair sample to test his DNA.
Permission was also granted to photograph the accused.
Magistrate Swain was told yesterday afternoon Woodroffe-Hill had not been a voluntary patient at Banksia.
It is understood although he was not being held under section eight of the Mental Health Act, he had not been scheduled for release from the unit until May 31.
Woodroffe-Hill was represented at yesterday's hearing by Armidale lawyer David Clifton.
Mr Clifton told the court bail was not sought and did not object to the requests for
forensic testing.
Permission for these was granted on condition they be completed at the Tamworth Police Station by 9 o'clock last night.
Magistrate Swain adjourned the matter to the Armidale Local Court for mention on May 23.
Police told the court it was unlikely the outcome of the forensic testing would be known by then.
The police prosecutor told the court it could be up to six weeks before the results of the tests were finalised.
Explaining her rulings to the defendant, Magistrate Swain told Woodroffe-Hill "I am satisfied you are a suspect in relation to the offence – the murder of Mark Hutchinson".
The accused, a slender man of medium height with short brown hair, was wearing a blue and white pullover and dark slacks yesterday.
His head was bowed for much of the hearing and his face largely expressionless.
His eyes were closed while the Magistrate described him as a suspect.
Mr Clifton told The Leader after the hearing that "this (the arrest) is tragic for him (the defendant), tragic for his family and for the wider family of the victim".
Mr Clifton said he would be appearing for Woodroffe-Hill at the Armidale court date.
The victim, Mark Hutchinson, was a former artillery gunner who served in Papua New Guinea and Borneo.
He had been known to his local community as a quiet but friendly man respected for his work with the local RSL and legacy war widows.
He had lived alone in his Markham St home since 1985.
The crime initially baffled police with robbery being ruled out early on as a possible motive.
Appearing for the prosecution at yesterday's hearing were Sergeant Westman and Department of Public Prosecutions instructing solicitor Col Dalrymple.
