Source : Perth Now news
The man charged with killing prominent Labor figure Tim Picton in an alleged one-punch attack will fight a manslaughter charge at trial.
Brodie Dewar, 20, pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Labor figure Tim Picton in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Mr Dewar is accused of killing Mr Picton in a one-punch attack outside a Perth nightclub in the early hours of December 27 last year.
Mr Picton was hospitalised following the incident and placed in an induced coma but died weeks later.
In court, Mr Dewar’s lawyer Simon Watters told the court they were ready to progress the matter to trial in Western Australia’s Supreme Court.
“You stand charged that in Northbridge on December 27, 2025 you unlawfully killed Tim Picton under circumstances not to constitute murder, how do you plead?” the magistrate asked.
“Not guilty, Your Honour,” Mr Dewar replied.
The matter was progressed to the higher Supreme Court where Mr Dewar will be committed to trial.
He is due to make his first appearance in the WA Supreme Court on August 24.
Mr Picton served as the South Australian Young Labor president, worked for Labor MPs Amanda Rishworth and Don Farrell and in former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews’ office before moving to WA.
The 36-year-old, the brother of South Australian State Development Minister Chris Picton, was credited with playing a major role in former premier Mark McGowan’s resounding 2021 election victory.
