ONE of the co-accused in the case of the alleged murder of a teenager in the Belanglo Forrest last month has been granted conditional bail in Goulburn Local Court.
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Chase Nathanial Day, 18, of Wollongong, was granted conditional bail when he appeared in the court by audio-visual link from Goulburn Jail on Wednesday.
He is charged with being an accessory after the fact to the murder of 17-year-old David Auchterlonie in Belanglo Forest on November 20.
Previous documents before the court said after the murder of Auchterlonie at about 9.30pm on November 20, that Day had assisted the alleged murderer in dragging Auchterlonie's body to another part of the forest and covering it with leaves and branches.
He then got back in the car with the alleged murderer and co-accused Cohen Klein, also 18, and they drove back to Bargo.
About 21 hours later, after telling his father, Day attended Picton Police Station and gave a statement to the police. He then led police to the body in the forest.
On Wednesday, Day appeared composed throughout most of his court appearance, unlike his previous appearance where he sobbed throughout. His family were in the court.
Day's barrister Peter Doyle applied for bail, which was not opposed by police.
Police prosecutor sergeant Chris Toole called for evidence from detective senior constable Peter Selmes.
Detective snr const Selmes told the court that bail was not opposed following further police investigations.
Det snr const Selmes said a further 10 witness statements had been obtained that corroborated Day's original statement to police.
"Further assistance may also be forthcoming," Det snr const Selmes said.
"He had no prior knowledge of the alleged crime and was only involved after the event."
When Day appeared previously in court on November 24, his barrister Mr Doyle said his client acted like he did on the night for fear of his life.
"What a traumatic event it must have been for my client to have seen this incident occur," Mr Doyle told the court then.
"That he clearly acted after that in fear of his life is understandable. Issues of duress do apply to the charge before the court. Duress is a factor in the concealment of the body."
Sgt Toole summarised the reasons police were not opposing bail in saying Day had been of assistance to the prosecution, as well as the threat posed to him while he was in custody.
"Persons in custody who assist police with their enquiries live a dangerous existence," Sgt Toole told the court.
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie granted Day bail on condition that he reside with his father in Wollongong, that he report daily to Wollongong Police Station, that he not approach any witnesses or his co-accused and that he not approach any points of departure such as domestic or international airports and upon a surety of $5000, posted by one of his relatives.
She also revoked the non-publication order in relation to Day's name.
His matter has been adjourned to January 12 in the Goulburn Local Court for reply to the brief of police evidence.
