By HARRY CLARKE
ACCUSED murderer Dale Joram Edward Hamilton has been mentioned in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court this morning accused of killing 44-year-old Jonathan Martin in Miles on last Tuesday night.
Hamilton, 26, was arrested in Miles and charged by police on Saturday, accused of causing a fatal chest wound to Martin when Martin and a friend visited the unit where Hamilton lived on Hawkins St about 9.45pm on March 21.
“Investigators from the South West District, working with State Homicide Investigation Unit investigators, have worked diligently since Tuesday night in relation to the death of a 44-year-old Miles man,” Detective Inspector Garry Watts told a press conference in Dalby this morning.
“As a result of those enquiries police took a 26-year-old Miles man into custody on Saturday and subsequently charged him with the murder,” Watts said.
“We don’t believe any other persons were involved. We’ve spoken to quite a lot of people who were in around the vicinity and also related to the incident.
“As the matter is before the courts, we’re not going to go into great detail about what we’re alleging, but I can say it would appear the altercation developed out of an ongoing neighbourhood dispute.
“The deceased and a friend of his went to the residence and a disturbance developed that night.
“He was suffering from a chest industry. First aid was performed by QAS however the man passed away at the Miles Hospital. I’m not going into the exact nature of the injury.”
Hamilton’s court matter has been adjourned to a later date.
Mr Martin, who’d moved to Miles from Chinchilla only recently, is the stepfather of two young girls and had been in a long term relationship with their mother.
A close friend told the Caller last week that his family was shocked and traumatised by their sudden loss.
“I spent time with his Mum yesterday (March 22) and she’s just devastated. Jono was her baby boy, her only son,” she said.
“(His partner) is not well at all. It’s so tragic for her and their two girls.”
A nephew of Mr Martin has since posted online: “Not only an uncle you were a mate and the memories I have from my child hood in the sawmill with you and Granka will always be cherished!”