Via video link Christopher Malyschko, Zak Grieve and Bronwyn Buttery, who are being held at Berrimah prison, appeared in Katherine Court last week.

For safety reasons

they were separated from the other murder accused, Katherine man Darren Halfpenny, who also

appeared in Katherine Court via video link.

The preliminary examination was adjourned until March 5, because Defence received the brief of evidence only days

before last week’s hearing.

During the video link between Berrimah, Katherine and Darwin one of the Defence lawyers said all parties would have to “come to terms” with the findings of the brief of evidence.

More than 140 statements have so far been documented, alongside than 100 exhibits of

evidence, but more crime scene reports, finger prints and pathology reports are yet to come.

Defence said it was likely to “expect at least a week of hearings” when witnesses - both in Darwin and Katherine - will be heard in the first week

of March.

Zak Grieve, Christopher Malyschko, Bronwyn Buttery and Darren Halfpenny have been charged with murder of 41-year-old Ray Niceforo, whose body was found in scrubland along Gorge Road, between the Katherine Hospital and Nitmiluk Park, in late October last year.

In addition to murder, the three men face a charge of aggravated entering of a dwelling with the intention of committing an offence.

Mr Grieve’s lawyer has indicated he will seek

another bail application for his 19-year-old client.

Because the preliminary hearing in March is expected to be “substantial and large” the venue may be shifted from Katherine Court to Darwin.

Zak Grieve, Christopher Malyschko, Bronwyn Buttery and Darren Halfpenny were remanded in custody until the hearing in March.