15 hours ago
Manslaughter trial delayed after key witnesses escape fire that destroyed home
A man charged with manslaughter will have his trial delayed after two key witnesses escaped a fire days before they were due to appear in court.
John Torney, 40, is facing charges of negligent manslaughter over the death of 49-year-old Emma Bates last year.
Ms Bates was found dead by emergency services who were called to her home in the northern Victorian town of Cobram in April 2024.
Members of Ms Bates's family were present in the courtroom on Tuesday.
Mr Torney, who also faces several assault-related charges, was due to appear during the four-day court hearing.
Prosecutor Matthew Cookson told the court that police conducted a welfare check at the weekend on Mr Torney's brother who was a key witness in the matter along with Mr Torney's mother.
Mr Cookson said Mr Torney's brother lit a fire when police arrived which resulted in the house being destroyed.
Mr Cookson told the court that Mr Torney's mother who was hospitalised, was "physically OK" but had lost all possessions and was effectively homeless.
Mr Torney's lawyer Hayden Rattray told the court that his client had been in custody for more than a year.
Magistrate Stephen Ballek said the fire was an "extreme development" and that it was in "the interests of justice" to allow the prosecutor's application to adjourn the matter to October this year.
