Criminal trial expected over alleged shooting of Griffith man on Carrathool Street

A man charged in connection with the alleged home invasion and shooting of a 44-year-old male on Carrathool Street in Griffith last year remains in custody and is expected to face a criminal trial on the matter, Griffith Local Court was told on Thursday (6 February).

In March 2024, Brett Sutcliffe presented to Griffith Base Hospital with an alleged gunshot wound to his leg after emergency services responded to reports that he had allegedly been shot at his home.

Griffith police were told three males allegedly forced entry into the premises, before the man was allegedly shot in the left leg.

The court was told Mr Sutcliffe’s 15-year-old daughter was in the house with him at the time, along with a second male resident of the home, who was also allegedly threatened with a firearm but not injured.

Two men were arrested in relation to the incident soon after – Kurtis Weeks, 32, and Daniel Snow, 32.

Both were charged with discharging a firearm with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm, as well as other offences. They were denied bail and have remained in Junee Correctional Centre for almost a year, as court hearings on the alleged offences have been repeatedly delayed.

On Thursday (6 February), both defendants were scheduled to face a committal hearing – a short hearing in which a magistrate decides if there is enough evidence to progress the matter to a trial.

Daniel Snow’s matter was postponed again, with a new committal hearing date of 6 March set.

“He is not opposed to a further adjournment … [this matter] will be ultimately committed for a trial,” defence lawyer Olivia Harris told the court.

A criminal trial would see Mr Snow face a judge and jury, who would decide whether he was guilty of the alleged offences.

The Kurtis Weeks matter was also postponed to 6 March.

Both defendants were in Junee Correctional Centre at the time of Thursday’s scheduled hearing and did not appear in court, not even via video link. Magistrate Pauline Wright said their attendance was not necessary.

At the original court hearing on the matter in March 2024, Ms Harris told the court that Mr Weeks’ partner had recently given birth to their child and that she had surgery after the birth, requiring Mr Weeks to care for her and the baby.

Magistrate Trevor Khan said he was sympathetic to this situation but decided to refuse bail, telling the court that Mr Weeks was already on strict bail conditions for other alleged offences.

Ms Harris also represented the co-accused Daniel Snow, arguing Mr Snow would live with his mother who would supervise him at all times if placed under strict bail conditions.

The magistrate also denied bail for Mr Snow, noting he too was already on bail for other alleged offences, including a break and enter, and he had breached his bail conditions.