Accused killer of SA Minister’s brother returns to court
Brodie Jake Dewar’s manslaughter case following the death of Labor strategist and brother of SA Minister Chris Picton has been committed to the Supreme Court.
A man fighting a manslaughter charge over the alleged bashing of Labor identity Tim Picton – the brother of SA State Development Minister Chris Picton – is one step closer to trial.
Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, re-entered his plea of not guilty to the unlawful killing charge in Stirling Gardens Magistrates on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old, who is on bail, allegedly attacked Tim Picton, 36, in Northbridge, in Perth’s inner city, in the early hours of December 27.
His case was committed for first appearance on August 24 in the Supreme Court, where he will eventually face trial for the charge.
Dewar’s family and friends were in court for the brief hearing, as was Picton’s widow Priya Brown.
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Her husband’s death triggered an outpouring of grief from his family, friends and colleagues, as tributes flowed from the prime minister, several premiers and business leaders.
His brother Chris Picton shared his turmoil over the death when he returned to work as former Health Minister in January.
“The shock that we had on that Saturday morning, getting that phone call that my brother was in hospital, he was being rushed into surgery, and he might not come out, still haunts me and my family and me to this day,” he said at the time.
“This has been a nightmare that we keep thinking ‘are we going to wake up from’, and it’s been very, very difficult for us all to face.
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“There’s a hole in our family that’s never, ever going to be filled.”
Tim Picton, was lauded as a respected political tactician, had advised state and federal politicians and helped guide WA Labor to a landslide 2021 election victory.
He worked as an advisor to SA Senator Don Farrell in the Gillard government, then in the office of former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
Farrell told of being “truly heartbroken at the tragic loss of Tim Picton”.
A Perth court has previously heard Dewar and Picton came face-to-face outside the Paramount Nightclub after an incident inside the venue, the incident recorded on CCTV.
Dewar allegedly struck Picton in the face, who fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement.
Picton died in hospital several weeks later with family members by his side.
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