The murder trial of NT police officer Constable Zachary Rolfe will be heard in Darwin, not Alice Springs, a Supreme Court judge has ruled.
Constable Rolfe is charged with the murder of Kumanjayi Walker in the remote community of Yuendumu in November 2019.
Yuendumu is about 290 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs and about 1,500 kilometres from Darwin.
The decision came after a defence application to move proceedings from Alice Springs, based on "the level of pre-trial publicity and comments in social media as having the potential to risk the fair trial of the accused".
Acting Justice Dean Mildren did not release his reasons for the decision to the public.
Constable Rolfe's lawyer has indicated in court the officer intends to plead not guilty.
Crown prosecutors were told to consider making arrangements for witnesses from Yuendumu to give evidence from the Yuendumu police station or Alice Springs Supreme Court.
"Arrangements will be made for proceedings at the trial proper, to be observed by video link at the Supreme Court in Alice Springs," Acting Justice Mildren said.
Emily Anyupa Butcher, who is from the Yuendumu community, said the community and family members understood and were respectful of the court's decision to move the trial to Darwin.
"It's great that the community has access to hear and be part of what's happening, regardless of location," Ms Butcher said.
Constable Rolfe's trial has been set for July 2021, with proceedings expected to run for five weeks.
He remains on bail, suspended from the NT Police Force.
