A Melbourne man kept his head hung low and stared at his hands as he faced court for the first time accused of a relative’s murder.
Scott Brian O’Brien, 43, appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon, two days after Stephen O’Brien was found dead at a Wyndham Vale home in Melbourne’s outer west.
Police will allege they were called to the Clapham Crescent property for a welfare check about 4.15pm on January 10 and found the 63-year-old man’s body.
An investigation was launched and, on Wednesday, a Victoria Police spokesman said Scott O’Brien was assisting with inquiries.
The Wyndham Vale man was subsequently charged with murder later the same day.
Charge documents provided to the court allege Stephen O’Brien was killed sometime between January 7 and 8.
In court, Scott O’Brien sat slouched in a chair rubbing his right hand as he appeared via a videolink from Sunshine Police Station.
The prosecutor told the court it would take three months to compile an evidence brief, including CCTV and body-worn camera footage.
Scott O’Brien’s lawyer Stephanie Mawby told the court it was her client’s first time in custody.
He was remanded into custody and will next appear in court on May 22.