ONE of the men charged with concealing the murder of a Bingara man has been granted bail by a court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Robert James Stonestreet was released from custody after spending close to 10 months behind bars, accused of covering up the 2010 murder Darryn Royce Willis.
Bruce Anthony Coss remains bail refused accused of carrying out the killing almost 10 years ago, after a night out at the Imperial Hotel in Bingara on December 10, 2010.
The cases returned to court this week and the DPP has now certified the murder charge against Coss, confirming the Crown will proceed with the lone allegation against the now 49-year-old.
READ ALSO:
The case will return to court in October for committal where it will move to the NSW Supreme Court for trial or sentence, depending on the plea.
Coss made no new bid for bail and it was refused by magistrate Mark Richardson.
He will remain in custody until his next court date.
Stonestreet is accused of one count of concealing a serious indictable offence of another. If found guilty, he faces up to five years' imprisonment.
The DPP has certified the allegation against him, which was adjourned for committal in September in Moree.
As part of Stonestreet's bail, which has been varied, he has to live in Moree and must report to police in the town three times-a-week.
He's banned from entering Bingara and must not approach or contact any of the prosecution's witnesses in the case.
He's also prohibited from leaving NSW; had to surrender his passport; and must not approach any international airport or departure point out of the country.
As part of the conditions, Stonestreet is also banned from drinking alcohol or taking drugs, unless they're prescribed by a doctor.
The pair have not been required to enter pleas to the single allegation levelled against them, after being charged by a police strike force in October last year.
Detectives allege Coss struck Mr Willis near his Bingara home, and killed him. He's then alleged to have dumped Mr Willis' body at an unknown location. His remains still have not been found.
New England detectives allege Stonestreet has key details on the general location of Mr Willis' remains.
It's been the police case that he was allegedly present when the murder occurred and did not come forward with information during the investigation.
Coss has been behind bars since he's arrest in Bingara in October last year by officers from Strike Force Barca - the police operation that has been investigating Mr Willis' murder.