It has to solid gold stuff, DR. S.... VICPOL are not mucking around, here.. Someone posted that the police often downgrade charges, in this instance, I would not want to be hanging by my fingernails for a downgrade, VICPOL doesn't go for murder without a whole lot of backup, it serves no purpose, to charge high then go low. It is more likely that more charges will be laid against the suspect. Not less. 'Interfering with a corpse' comes to mind, which has obviously been done. Since her body is not where she was murdered.
Him refusing to give the location of the body gives him no leverage, and merely exacerbates his already precarious situation. VICPOL are experienced in taking a murder charge thru court, with a conviction , without the body.
What has surprised me is, he seems to have no Barrister promoting his innocence. Usually, there would be a cross looking barrister, clobbered up in court gear, outside the Supreme court , fresh from winning his latest case, to heap scorn on VICPOL, ' a bunch of charlatans, ' and defiantly announce his client will defend the outrageous claim. .. This has not happened, and this, to me , is highly unusual.
He is 22, probably has no assets, except his ute, his Legal Aid application would have nothing to do with his parents situation, or his sisters, it rests on his only, he being an adult, so that should be well and truly in the pipeline by now, all done and dusted. Legal Aid is what any citizen is entitled to, who is financially hampered by cost. Tax payer funded, and run, usually very well. A panel of legal experts examine your case, and even if it looks hopeless, you are entitled , in Victoria, to the very best legal representation. No ifs, or buts. The only difference is, if you pay yourself, you are in charge, on Legal Aid, you are not in charge, you have to be guided by the expert panel. ..... so there is that catch.
So why are we not seeing his 'barking dog' barking for him?? mystery.