The family of Kumanjayi Little Baby have spoken of their disappointment after the man accused of murdering the five-year-old was excused from appearing in court.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this story contains the image and name of a deceased Indigenous person.
A man accused of abducting and killing a five-year-old girl has been remanded into custody after being excused from his first court appearance.
Jefferson Lewis was arrested on Saturday and later charged with the murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby, whose disappearance on Anzac Day sparked widespread searches around the Northern Territory’s Old Timers town camp.
He had been due to appear in court in Alice Springs via videolink on Tuesday morning, with members of the girl’s grieving family also expected to be in attendance.
With the heartbreaking case having sparked severe unrest in the surrounding areas, a heightened police presence was put in place outside the courtroom, with more than a dozen officers gathering outside the building ahead of the hearing.
However, the 47-year-old accused was not presented to the court.
Police in Alice Springs were on alert in advance of Jefferson Lewis’ first court appearance. Picture: Google
Mr Lewis has been charged with murder. Picture: Supplied / NT Police
Kumanjayi Little Baby was allegedly murdered on Anzac Day. Picture: Supplied
Instead, the hearing was adjourned, with Mr Lewis remanded into custody and scheduled to appear at court on July 30.
Family members who had travelled to attend the hearing also did not enter the courtroom, instead being briefed by staff in a separate part of the building.
Kumanjayi Little Baby’s grandfather Warlpiri Elder Robin Granites told SBS and NITV outside of court, the family was “extremely disappointed that he wasn’t in court or on the video link”.
“Family were confused about the start time … When they did arrive, there was further delays due to court procedure,” Mr Granites said.
During the brief hearing, Judge Anthony Hopkins said: “I’ll begin by acknowledging the deep loss of Kumanjayi Little Baby and of the family’s call for justice to take its course in this, now, time of deep sorrow.”
Following the hearing, members of Kumanjayi’s family, including her grandmother, gathered for sorry business.
Several of her relatives wore white ochre pigment spread across their faces and bodies.
Mr Lewis was taken to Darwin under heavy police guard after his arrest as hundreds of people rioted in Alice Springs.
The 47-year-old allegedly took five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby from her home on the outskirts of the outback town late in the evening on Anzac Day before allegedly killing her.
It is understood Mr Lewis had only recently returned to the community after spending time in jail for unrelated offences.
Police have confirmed he was unconscious at the time of his arrest and taken to hospital before charges were laid.
He was charged with one count of murder and two other charges, which can’t be published for legal reasons.
Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil has been planned in the youngster’s memory on Thursday evening.
Mourners taking part are urged to wear pink, Kumanjayi’s favourite colour, as they grieve and remember her tragically short life.
Source: https://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/family-of-kumanjayi-little-baby-to-attend-court-in-darwin-for-accused-murderers-first-appearance/news-story/72bdf8618ef653075aba550029e20926
