Warning: This story contains images of a deceased Indigenous person.
The Alice Springs man accused of murdering Kumanjayi Little Baby has been excused from appearing at his first court hearing.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, allegedly took the five-year-old girl from her bed at Old Timers Aboriginal Camp on April 25. She was found dead near a river bed five days later.
Lewis’ Alice Springs Local Court hearing proceeded in his absence on Tuesday morning after his Legal Aid NT lawyer requested the accused man not be present.
Lewis, charged with murder, was expected to appear via video link from custody in Darwin, where he was flown for his own safety on Friday after his arrest sparked a riot on Thursday night.
According to the ABC, prosecutors have requested a lengthy adjournment to his case to pull together an extensive brief of evidence. The matter is due to return to court on July 30.
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