Accused killer Lachlan Young will have his trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend Hannah McGuire in front of a packed regional courtroom.
Young, 21, was beamed into Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Thursday from Melbourne Assessment Prison, where he is currently being held, sporting a mullet, pink T-shirt, and heavily tattooed arms.
Friends and family of Hannah McGuire attending a hearing, where her accused killer, Lachlan Young, pleaded not guilty.Credit: Nine News
More than 50 friends and family of McGuire packed into the courtroom to listen to the proceedings, many wearing black jumpers with the 23-year-old’s image printed on the chest and the words, ‘She matters – remembering Hannah McGuire’.
There, the court heard, Young had elected to have the trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court, which avoids a public committal hearing where evidence against an accused is usually tested for the first time.
Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz noted there was a high public interest in the process being fast-tracked, with Young ordered to appear again on October 3.
Mykytowycz noted Young had signed a form acknowledging that this meant he had elected to stand trial.
Hannah McGuire, 23, was found dead on April 5.
When asked how he pleaded, Young replied: “Not guilty, your honour.”
Supporters of the victim packed into the courtroom and sat shoulder to shoulder, with some forced to stand to fit inside.
Accused killer Lachlan Young pleads not guilty, case fast-tracked to Supreme Court
