Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE sheer number of recent murders in Victoria is placing a strain on police as detectives struggle to find time to investigate them all, a court has heard.
The “inundation of extra murders” has pushed back a hearing in the Samantha Kelly murder case by almost three months.
The Homicide Squad asked for more time in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to compile their brief of evidence in the alleged murder of the Kangaroo Flat mother-of-four.
A committal hearing for Christine Lyons and Ronald Lyons – both charged with being an accessories to murder – was set down for June 22, but has instead been moved back to September 14.
Magistrate Jennifer Tregent said it was an “unfortunate situation”.
“There’s been an inundation of extra murders,” she said.
“I understand an investigator was contemplating canceling their own leave to deal with the amount of work.
“There’s too many jobs on, and not enough police to do them it seems.”
Ronald Lyons was released on bail in March. Christine Lyons and murder accused Peter James Arthur, 44, remain in custody.
Police allege Arthur murdered Ms Kelly with a hammer in their Kangaroo Flat home on or about January 20.
He then allegedly told Ronald Lyons and Christine Lyons, who allegedly assisted in disposing of the body and orchestrating a cover-up.