A FORMER Windale man accused of murdering another inmate at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre last year will stand trial in the NSW Supreme Court.
Richard Jason Reay, now 45, is accused of killing 52-year-old Geoffrey Fardell in a cell at the jail, near Kempsey, between 3.30pm on June 10 and 6.09am on June 11.
Mr Reay appeared in Kempsey Local Court on Wednesday via audio visual link from jail where he was committed to stand trial for murder.
He will next appear in Sydney Supreme Court on September 4 when it is expected he will be arraigned, plead not guilty and get a trial date.
Mr Fardell was found dead in his cell on the morning of June 11. Detectives from the mid-north coast police district were called and launched an investigation.
After extensive inquiries, Mr Reay, who was an inmate at the facility, was charged with murder.
Mr Fardell, from Ballina, was expected to face Ballina Local Court a week after his death on charges of driving while under the influence of prohibited drugs, destroying or damaging property, intimidation and breaching an apprehended domestic violence order.
It is believed Mr Fardell had been moved from Grafton Correctional Centre to the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre after receiving threats and he was expected to be placed into protective custody.
Mr Fardell's death will also be subject to a coronial inquest and internal review.
