A 73-year-old man, Steven Johnson, charged with the murder of Christopher Jarvis, has been granted bail by Justice Rita Incerti of the Victorian Supreme Court. The decision comes five months after the charges were laid. Johnson, who appeared in court wearing a neck brace, was overcome with emotion upon hearing the ruling.
Jarvis, who was 38 years old, was last seen in June 2006 near Warrnambool, Victoria. While his body has not yet been found, investigators believe it may be buried in Framlingham Forest, an area managed by an Indigenous trust. Initially charged with murder in November 2022, Johnson saw the charge dropped in August 2023. His co-accused, Glenn Fenwick, ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter, implicating Johnson in the incident following a confrontation regarding unpaid rent.
Fenwick claims he assisted Johnson in restraining Jarvis, who was reported to have been attacked with a baseball bat and buried following the altercation. Johnson’s legal counsel argued that the prosecution’s case largely relied on Fenwick’s testimony, which had inconsistencies and was motivated by the prospect of a reduced sentence.
Justice Incerti noted that while the prosecution’s case cannot be dismissed as weak, it is not without issues, and key points regarding the credibility of witness statements will be explored in the upcoming committal hearing scheduled for January. The judge acknowledged Johnson’s “special vulnerabilities,” including his age and health issues, which have made his time in jail particularly challenging due to inadequate medical care.
Despite concerns regarding potential risks if released, Justice Incerti imposed several strict bail conditions, such as a no-contact order with Fenwick and a prohibition on entering Framlingham Forest. Johnson’s wife posted a $500,000 surety for his bail, and he must adhere to a curfew from 9pm to 6am. He is expected to return to Warrnambool Magistrates Court next January for a further review of the case.