A man accused of the murder of a 78-year-old man in Armidale in October last year has been granted bail.
James Bowen Hutchison has been charged with the murder of housemate, Peter Hogg in a Markham Street home
The Northern Daily Leader reports Hutchison’s solicitor John Harris said during the hearing on Wednesday that his client’s family would offer a cash surety of $200,000 as well as electronic ankle-bracelet monitoring and unlimited police checks to make bail.
Despite concerns from Director of Public Prosecutions Nicola Breward, Judge Mark Richardson said the bail application had satisfied his concerns saying if he’s taking his medication, his chances of re-offending are minimal, he’s not to go within 100km of Armidale except to attend court, and he’s basically on 24-7 house arrest.
The matter is back in the Court in August.
