A Kings Meadows man has denied deliberately running over and killing another man in broad daylight.
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Joshua Josef Barker, 30, pleaded not guilty to murdering Dale James Watson when he appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court.
The accused was arrested after the 30-year-old Prospect Vale man was found laying on a street corner on Friday morning.
Mr Barker is accused of “intentionally” running over Mr Watson with his car in the Launceston suburb before allegedly fleeing to Trevallyn.
Witnesses called triple-0 and attempted first aid before emergency services arrived, but Mr Watson died at the scene on the corner of Knox and Burrows streets.
Police located Mr Barker on Friday afternoon and he was charged with murder on Saturday.
He fronted a Justice of the Peace in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Saturday night and was remanded to reappear on Tuesday before a magistrate.
Mr Barker entered not guilty pleas through his lawyer, Evan Hughes, in front of Magistrate Simon Brown on Tuesday afternoon.
Supporters of Mr Barker sat in the back of the court and remained silent during his brief appearance.
Mr Brown committed him for trial.
The court heard Mr Barker was also facing a charge of common assault, to which he also pleaded not guilty.
That matter was adjourned indefinitely.
Mr Barker will next appear on June 12 for a directions hearing in the Launceston Supreme Court.
He was remanded in custody until that date.
Melissa Mobbs
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
A journalist with more than a decade of experience, Melissa Mobbs currently works as the Deputy Editor for The Examiner Newspaper in Launceston, and has a strong background in reporting on crime and the justice system. Send tips to Melissa.Mobbs@examiner.com.au or on Twitter via @melissamobbs.
