Teen accused of gran's murder to face committal hearing

A teenage boy accused of murdering a grandmother during a carjacking faces more months behind bars before a magistrate decides if he will stand trial. Vyleen Joan White, 70, died after being stabbed in the chest outside a shopping centre at Redbank Plains, west of Brisbane, on February 3. Police alleged Ms White was killed during the theft of her 2009 model Hyundai Getz hatchback. A 16-year-old boy from the nearby suburb of Bellbird Park was charged with one count each of murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and three counts of stealing. The youth's charges had a committal mention in Ipswich Children's Court on Tuesday but he was not required to appear in person or via video link from custody. Crown prosecutor Chris Cook told Magistrate Melanie Ho that he had discussed potential dates for a committal hearing with the youth's solicitors at Hannay Lawyers. "(Brief of evidence) disclosures have been made. The only item of substance outstanding is a statement on one of the issues with DNA. The Crown is content, if necessary, to proceed with a committal without that," Mr Cook said. Hannay Lawyers law clerk Jodie Layzell told Ms Ho she consented to the dates suggested by the prosecution. Ms Ho asked Mr Cook if the committal hearing would last just one day. "I would be surprised if it ran longer," Mr Cook said. He confirmed to Ms Ho that he was still unsure of the exact number of witnesses who would give evidence at the committal. Ms Ho ordered that the youth face a committal hearing on March 14 and he would be required to appear in court. The youth was remanded in custody. Ms Ho told Ms Layzell she would need to file an application if the defence wished to cross-examine any witnesses. Ms White's death prompted changes to Queensland's juvenile justice laws and was mentioned by then-LNP opposition leader David Crisafulli in a debate with then-premier Steven Miles over youth crime before Labor's defeat at the October 26 state election.