A man named Daniel Robert McJannett, aged 39, has been denied bail after being accused of the brutal murder of Matthew Berry, a father of two, in Mount Tamborine, Queensland. Emergency services found Berry, 37, with severe injuries on June 29, 2023. McJannett, charged with murder a week later, had a history with the victim, having been a groomsman at Berry’s wedding.
In addition to the murder charge, McJannett faces accusations of theft of CCTV equipment from Berry’s home and possession of a substantial quantity of cannabis. During his bail application in the Queensland Supreme Court, he appeared via video link, asserting he would seek employment if released.
Justice Peter Callaghan, presiding over the case, cited McJannett’s extensive criminal history, particularly involving drug and weapon offences, as a factor in deeming him an unacceptable flight risk. Prosecutor Zachary Kaplan presented a strong case against McJannett, arguing that given the severity of the murder charge and his past behaviour while on bail, allowing his release posed significant risks. The prosecution also raised doubts about McJannett’s commitment to counselling he promised to undertake if granted bail.
Justice Callaghan acknowledged McJannett’s valid arguments during the hearing, but ultimately sided with the prosecution, concluding that the potential for McJannett to flee was high due to the serious nature of the charges. Both the prosecution and McJannett expressed a desire for a swift trial process, but the judge maintained that even strict bail conditions would not adequately mitigate the risks associated with his release. As a result, bail was refused, and McJannett remains in custody as he awaits trial for the alleged murder of Berry.