The trial of Perry Kouroumblis, the man accused of the 1977 Easey St killings, has been delayed by three months as key DNA evidence continues to undergo analysis.
Kouroumblis, who appeared via video link from Melbourne Assessment Prison, attended a brief administrative hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 26.
This was his second court appearance since being extradited from Italy in December, where he faces charges of two murders and one count of rape.
Both the prosecution and defence requested the adjournment to allow time for DNA analysis to be completed.
Magistrate Brett Sonnet, overseeing the case, emphasised the need for swift progress, stating, “This matter should be given the highest priority. The court stands ready to hear a committal.”
The committal hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence for Kouroumblis to stand trial.
The murders of Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, occurred in their Collingwood home in January 1977, with their bodies found three days later. Armstrong’s 16-month-old son, Gregory, was unharmed.
Kouroumblis has not yet entered a formal plea but has consistently maintained his innocence and intends to contest the charges.
Police claim a breakthrough in the case after matching DNA evidence from the crime scene to Kouroumblis, nearly 47 years later. He is set to return to court on June 3.
Source: Herald Sun.
