Trucker faces trial over Falconio murder
Last updated at 15:34 18 August 2004
The family of Joanne Lees has welcomed the announcement that a mechanic is to stand trial in Australia for the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
Bradley John Murdoch, 45, will face the Northern Territory Supreme Court charged with the murder of 28-year-old Mr Falconio on July 14, 2001.
He is also charged with the deprivation of liberty and unlawful assault of Mr Falconio's 27-year-old girlfriend, Miss Lees.
Miss Lees' stepfather Vincent James spoke of his relief at his home in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
He said: "We are pleased about it. It's good news."
Mr James said he did not think his stepdaughter, who now lives in Brighton, was aware of the news but he was sure she would be pleased.
He added: "If Joanne wants me to go out with her (for the trial), I'll go with her. I know she's going."
Mr James said the family just wanted her to get through the ordeal and complete the trial.
No date has been set, although it is expected to be held some time next year.
During a five-week preliminary hearing in Darwin Magistrates' Court, more than 50 witnesses were called, including Miss Lees and Mr Falconio's brother, Paul.
The prosecution alleged that the British couple were travelling in a camper van along a remote desert highway shortly after dark when Murdoch pulled up in his pick-up truck and flagged them down.
It is alleged he then shot Mr Falconio, from Huddersfield, and bound and gagged his girlfriend before she managed to flee into the desert after a brief struggle.
The incident sparked one of the biggest manhunts in Australian criminal history and included Aboriginal trackers and hundreds of police officers scouring an area of the Outback the size of France.
Murdoch was arrested months later in southern Australia.
He was initially arrested on an unrelated rape charge of which he was later cleared, before Northern Territory police arrested him in connection with Mr Falconio's disappearance.
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