A MATONG man will be extradited to Victoria to face charges over the murder of retired butcher Raymond Parker last month.
Detectives from Wagga Local Area Command, together with Victoria Police homicide squad officers, swooped on a property at Bourke Street in Matong shortly before 9am on Wednesday and arrested Daniel Thomas O’Donnell.
O’Donnell, 50, fronted Wagga Local Court on Wednesday afternoon after becoming the second man charged with Mr Parker’s murder.
Dean Brookes, a 23-year-old man from Officer in Victoria, was the first man charged with Mr Parker’s murder on Sunday.
The court heard O’Donnell was one of three men who confronted Mr Parker in his home at Bayles, south-west of Melbourne.
Mr Parker’s body was found inside his home about 2.20pm on January 13.
It is believed Mr Parker, 75, grew marijuana, the court was told, and a small hydroponic set-up was found in his home after his death.
O’Donnell’s solicitor David Barron lodged a bail application for his client, which was formally refused by magistrate Erin Kennedy.
It was argued the prosecution’s case against O’Donnell was “weak” and relied mainly on evidence given to Victoria Police by Brookes in an interview following his arrest.
Police prosecutor Kellie Huggett agreed police didn’t have a lot of detail about the case, but argued the seriousness of the offence should see O’Donnell remain behind bars.
O’Donnell, a bricklayer by trade, is believed to have purchased the block in Matong about five years ago and visited it on occasion while remaining primarily based in Dandenong.
According to Wagga police, in recent weeks he has taken up more a permanent residence at the Bourke Street property. The court heard he was halfway through building a house on the block and wanted to continue working on it.
Police seized a car, electronics, phone items and paper work during their search of O’Donnell’s property.
O’Donnell remained behind bars on Wednesday night and will be transferred in to the custody of Victorian detectives on Thursday.
