A MAN accused of murdering his 18-year-old girlfriend at Metford in the early hours of Saturday morning has made a shocking admission in Newcastle Bail Court, repeatedly saying "I am a murderer" before his solicitor asked that the video be cut off and the man undergo a mental health assessment.
Jordan Brodie Miller, 20, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend Emerald Wardle, appeared in court via audio visual link from the Newcastle courthouse cells on Sunday.
Police say Mr Miller was arrested outside a home in Galway Crescent, Metford about 1.30am on Saturday.
Inside the home, police found the body of Ms Wardle.
Mr Miller did not apply for bail in court on Sunday, but Legal Aid duty solicitor Gillian Jewison was in the middle of an argument with registrar Steve Mannall about a possible suppression order when Mr Miller suddenly blurted out: "I'm a murderer."
Ms Jewison told her client not to say anything and warned him everything he said would go on the record, but Mr Miller repeated: "I'm a murderer".
He then began to go into detail about the alleged crime as Ms Jewison loudly admonished him to not say anything.
"Am I able to speak?" Mr Miller asked, becoming annoyed.
"Have I got the legal right to speak right now, judge?"
Mr Mannall told Mr Miller he did, but advised him not to speak.
Mr Miller then launched into details about something that he said had occurred in the days before Ms Wardle's death.
"On Thursday night I stole Emerald's car while she was asleep," he said. "I drove to her favourite spot in Morpeth..."
Ms Jewison then asked that the audio visual link be cut off and Mr Miller disappeared from the screen.
Ms Jewison, pointing to what had just occurred, asked that Mr Miller undergo a mental health assessment and Mr Mannall ordered a full medical and psychological assessment once Mr Miller was transported to a correctional centre.
Mr Mannall said despite Mr Miller's comments, which were heard in an open court by reporters from four media outlets, he did not have the power to hear a non-publication order or suppression order application in relation to a murder charge.
The matter was adjourned to Maitland Local Court on Wednesday.
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