Lawyer 'puzzled' by domestic violence charge against Jana Armstrong's alleged killer
The lawyer representing Dharminder Singh, the man accused of murdering Toowoomba woman Jana Armstrong, has expressed confusion over the domestic violence charge against his client. The case has been adjourned to November 12 to allow more time for the brief of evidence to be completed.
A lawyer representing Dharminder Singh, the man accused of murdering Toowoomba woman Jana Armstrong, has expressed confusion over the domestic violence charge against his client.
Mr. Singh, 48, was charged with one count of murder, a domestic violence offence, and a count of arson in relation to Ms. Armstrong's car, after police found her body in bushland outside Toowoomba on July 12.
Court Proceedings
At a brief mention in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday, Mr. Singh's lawyer, Ramli Salehkon, told the court he was "puzzled" by the domestic violence aspect of the charge against Mr. Singh.
"I am quite puzzled by the way the charge is framed, that there is an element of domestic violence in this charge," Mr. Salehkon said.
"As far as I understand, there is no domestic violence committed by Mr. Singh on the late Ms. Jana Armstrong. In fact, there has been domestic violence from her against him."
Magistrate Kyna Morice interrupted Mr. Salehkon's line of questioning, stating that it was not an appropriate forum to discuss the matter.
"Mr. Salehkon, I am going to stop you here. I won't hear this," Magistrate Morice said, adding that it was not an appropriate forum.
"I absolutely will not hear submissions about conduct of the deceased."
Mr. Salehkon continued, telling the court that there was an incident the police were aware of that happened last year and that it should be included in the brief of evidence.
Magistrate Morice adjourned the case to November 12 to allow more time for the brief of evidence to be completed and for forensic material to be finalised.
Family's Reaction
Ms. Armstrong's family, including her sister Faith Isaacs and Faith's husband Michael, were in court, along with her brother Dean Armstrong, uncle, aunt, and cousin and family friends.
Outside court, Ms. Isaacs was emotional.
"It is important for us to come to court because we want to show how much support we have for Jana and her son," Ms. Isaacs said.
"In all honesty, we are struggling a lot. She was a big part of our lives," she said.
Ms. Isaacs also expressed her disgust at the defence's questioning of the domestic violence charge in court.
"I am disgusted"
Jana Armstrong was last seen alive at her home in Newtown on the afternoon of July 7, after having brunch with her sister earlier that day.