Accused killer's case delayed after fire destroys home
Share this @internewscast.com

An accused killer’s committal hearing has been pushed back after his brother allegedly burnt down the family home.

John Torney, 40, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court via video link today for the start of his committal hearing over the death of Cobram woman Emma Bates.

Prosecutor Matthew Cookson requested a postponement of the hearing due to the unavailability of two crucial witnesses, namely Torney’s brother and mother, who could not provide their testimony.

Police initially charged Torney with 13 offences including intentionally causing injury, several counts of assault and breaching a court order. An additional charge of negligent manslaughter was laid against Torney in December. (Nine)

Torney’s brother had been charged and was in police custody after allegedly setting fire to the family home on Sunday, Cookson said.

Police had attended the property to carry out a welfare check when the man allegedly started the uncontrollable blaze, the prosecutor said.

The home was destroyed and Torney’s mother was left homeless without any of her possessions, Cookson told the court.

The woman was physically OK after being hospitalised but she was not in the headspace to give evidence, the prosecutor said.

Cookson applied to have the committal hearing adjourned, saying it was impossible to finalise the case without hearing from the two witnesses.

Torney’s defense lawyer, Hayden Rattray, pointed out that his client had been detained since April 2024 and suggested that the trial could continue even without the testimonies of these prosecution witnesses.

Emma Bates, 49, was found dead inside her home in Cobram on Tuesday.
Emma Bates. (Nine)
Cobram
The 49-year-old woman was found dead at this property in Victoria’s north. (Nine)

But magistrate Stephen Ballek described the circumstances as “extreme” and allowed the adjournment given the seriousness of the charges.

Torney was remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court in October for a four-day committal hearing.

It’s alleged he knew Bates, 49, who was found dead inside a Cobram property, near the NSW border, on April 23, 2024.

Police initially charged Torney with 13 offences including intentionally causing injury, several counts of assault and breaching a court order.

An additional charge of negligent manslaughter was laid against Torney in December.

In 2016, Torney was acquitted of murdering a toddler after the two-year-old girl’s beaten body was discovered in the roof cavity of a Mildura house.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Brittany Higgins has abandoned appeals against her costly defamation battle loss to her former boss, ex-Liberal senator Linda Reynolds.

Stunned by Defamation Defeat: Higgins Drops Appeals Amid Skyrocketing Costs

Brittany Higgins has decided to withdraw her appeals related to the loss…
Wild weather in Victoria

Victoria and SA Prepare for Intense Cyclonic Winds and Severe Weather Conditions

Residents throughout south-east Victoria, including those in Melbourne, are bracing for severe…
For the past three years and eight months, Tom Phillips, 38, has been on the run, hiding out in the wilds of New Zealand. With him are his three children, Jayda, 12, Maverick, ten, and Ember, nine. Pictured: An image of what is believed to be the missing family, taken by a hunter

Enigmatic Partner Unveiled: Fugitive Father and Children Survive Four-Year Wilderness Escape in New Zealand

Some call him ‘The Bushman,’ while others refer to him as ‘The…
Gregor Townsend says he will scale back his Red Bull role if it begins to affect Scotland

Townsend’s Red Bull Role Could Impact Scotland’s Test Success: Fans Demand Results

During a press briefing yesterday, Gregor Townsend momentarily feigned frustration as he…

Why Skipping Travel Insurance Could Cost Australians More Than They Think

The Australian government’s official travel advisory service says taking out travel insurance…
People brave the early morning ahead of the record-breaking heat at Rose Bay's Redleaf Pool in Sydney.

Sydney Suburbs Sizzle: Record-Breaking Heat and Fierce Winds Fuel Fire Warnings

Sydney has endured its hottest October day on record, with temperatures climbing…

Rising Living Costs Hit Australians Hard: Unveiling a Larger Issue

Cost of living spikes continue to push living standards down. To learn…
Shane Hryhorec has been using a wheelchair for the past 18 years and ran into an ironic and glaring issue at Health and Disability Minister Mark Butler's office in Port Adelaide.

Accessibility Fail: Shocking Barrier Encountered at Disability Minister’s Office

For nearly two decades, Shane Hryhorec has navigated life in a wheelchair,…
Prince Andrew

UK Prime Minister Supports Investigation into Prince Andrew’s Rent-Free Lease at Royal Lodge

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has thrown his support behind an inquiry…
New Zealand primary school teacher Jordan Shallcrass revealed her ultimate art class hack in the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Cutter, available for $89 at Bunnings

School Teacher’s Discovery Turns Bunnings Gadget into Must-Have Item: ‘A True Game Changer

A primary school teacher in New Zealand has uncovered a surprising crafting…
Just one month ago, Jenna Ellen had started her first IVF treatment and was optimistic about starting a family with the love of her life

31-Year-Old Jenna’s Journey: Overlooked Cancer Warning Signs Every Young Woman Should Know

Just a month ago, Jenna Ellen embarked on her first IVF journey,…
'Nice guy': PM reveals extra details about Trump-Rudd clash

Prime Minister Shares Additional Insights into Trump-Rudd Dispute

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed Australia’s ambassador to the US, former…