A Melbourne court was told that there are 610 witnesses in the case of a Gippsland man who has been charged with starting a fatal bushfire earlier this year.
The man alleged of starting the fatal blaze, Churchill resident Brendan Sokaluk appeared in court yesterday via video link and was charged with 191 offences including arson causing death.
The Churchill fire, which began on February 7 killed at least 10 people.
The Melbourne Magistrates court was told that there are 610 witnesses in the case, and the defence had wanted to call about one third of them to provide evidence during a committal hearing that will take place next year.
Lawyer for Sokaluk, Julian McMahons aid that arrangements have been made for witnesses who did not wish to attend court because of the trauma they had experience from the bushfires.
It is expected that the hearing will last for six weeks.
The Magistrate for the hearing, Simon Garnett, said that when and where the fire initially was started will be a key issue in the case.
Sokaluk’s next court appearance will be next year.