Kennington, Tuesday 21 July, 2015
Justin Kain Ellard was remanded in Police Custody, accused of the murder of Kennington woman Jacinta Pompei.At midday he appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates Court via video link. He did not apply for bail.
Police allege Ellard murdered 32-year-old Ms Pompei sometime between July 20 and 21 in a Mijuda Court unit.
His Lawyer, Megan Aumair, said Mr Ellard was a diagnosed schizophrenic who was taking prescribed medication for the condition.
She also said Mr Ellard had never been in adult custody before. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 11.
Mr Ellard sat with his arms crossed, leaning on a table, throughout the six minute hearing. He did not speak except to ask the magistrate, Richard Wright, to speak up.
The case began the morning of the 21st July when Police arrested the accused man at the scene, where the deceased body of Ms Pompeii was found.
The Police have confirmed that the deceased died from head trauma caused by a blow from a hammer. The exact circumstances surrounding the death are not yet fully known and the police investigation is ongoing.
At 1:20am that day, emergency services were called to Mijuda Court in Kennington concerning reports there was a deceased woman. Paramedics were called but the woman, Ms Pompei, was declared dead at the scene.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman Paul Bentley said,
‘When paramedics got there, unfortunately a woman had died.’
As of 10.15am Mr Ellard had been taken into custody by Victorian Police to help with their inquiries. Meanwhile Victorian Police forensic officers were on hand investigating the crime scene.
A neighbour told homicide detectives she heard nothing this morning and was not aware of any history of violence.
Neighbour Paul Bonnici, who lives opposite the unit, also heard nothing.
‘I’m very surprised, it’s usually pretty quiet around here.’
One neighbouring couple has lived in Mijuda Court since 1978 and said the area had a high turnover of people due to the number of flats and rentals.
‘Occasionally a young hoon will do a burnout but that’s about as exciting as it gets.’
The murder of Jacinta Pompeii has shaken the residents of Kennington. Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, said she was shocked by a death so close to her Kennington home and that her thoughts were with the woman’s family and friends.
A Bendigo Advertiser Facebook page has been set up for tributes for Ms Pompei.