Carl Ian Jones: Judge to drop accused Eneabba shooter’s charges if State prosecution fail to follow order

An Eneabba man accused of shooting a man and remanded in custody for almost a year could have his charges dropped if paperwork is not served before his next court appearance. Carl Ian Jones, 46, appeared in Geraldton District Court on Wednesday from Greenough Regional Prison, where he has been remanded in custody for 11 months on charges relating to allegations he shot a man with a shotgun at the front of his house in Eneabba. Mr Jones pleaded not guilty to grievous bodily harm in September last year, but the court was told he has been remanded in custody while waiting for full disclosure to be served. A trial date could not be set because prosecution had not filed all relevant paperwork. Prosecutor Chadd Graham requested a lengthy adjournment due to the nature of the charge and the materials sought. The judge ordered the prosecution must either file the indictment, discontinue the charge or send it back to the magistrates court by April 28. If the prosecution fails to follow the order, the court may discharge the accused from the charge. The matter was adjourned until April 30.