A 42-year-old man accused of the country’s first homicide of 2025 will have to wait until November to learn if his case will proceed to the High Court.

Deon Lloyd of Lower Ottos appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel this week for what was expected to be his committal hearing. The matter was instead adjourned to 5 November.

Lloyd is charged with the murder of 35-year-old Javorn Williams, who was fatally shot during an altercation at Mount Obama, also known as Boggy Peak, on 2 January.

Following the incident, Lloyd was arrested while receiving treatment at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. He made his first court appearance in January wearing a cast on his arm.

He has remained in custody at His Majesty’s Prison since that time and is being represented by defence attorney Wendel Alexander.

The committal hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to be sent to the High Court for trial.