Prosecution Builds Case Against Man Accused of Interfering with Investigation into Pheobe Bishop’s Murder
A Queensland court has been informed that a substantial body of evidence has been gathered against a 30-year-old man accused of accessory after the fact to murder in relation to the alleged killing of teenager Pheobe Bishop.
Kieren Daniel Mittelheuser is facing two counts of accessory after the fact to murder, as well as several unrelated charges, including fraud and driving whilst disqualified.
Police allege that he accessed Ms Bishop’s mobile phone in the days following her disappearance, thereby hindering their investigation.
Background to the Case
Ms Bishop’s body was discovered in the Goodnight Scrub National Park on May 15, after she was reported missing when she failed to catch a flight from Bundaberg to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia.
Her housemates, James Wood and Tanika Bromley, have been charged with her murder and are currently in custody.
Court Proceedings
In the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday, police prosecutor Vikki Kennedy-Grills stated that the case against Mr Mittelheuser was “extremely large”, comprising over 150 exhibits and 130 witness statements.
Mr Mittelheuser was excused from appearing in court due to a technical issue with the video link from the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, where he is being held.
Magistrate Edwina Rowan adjourned the case until October 13 to allow Mr Mittelheuser’s defence lawyer, Mark Zeller, sufficient time to review the brief of evidence.
Mr Mittelheuser was remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court via video link on the scheduled date.