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Queensland man in court on cheerleader’s murder

Police allege newly-acquired opinions from two biomechanics experts - that Ms Robinson was thrown from the balcony - played a big part in the arrest.

Police allege newly-acquired opinions from two biomechanics experts - that Ms Robinson was thrown from the balcony - played a big part in the arrest. Photo: AAP

A man has faced court accused of throwing a Gold Coast cheerleader off an 11th-floor balcony six years ago.

Jayden Moorea, 45, formerly known as Dan Shearin, appeared in Southport Court on Saturday charged with one count each of murder, damaging evidence with intent and attempted fraud and was remanded in custody until February 19.

Breeana Robinson, 21, died when she plunged from the balcony of her boyfriend’s luxury Southport apartment in January 2013.

Breeana’s family sat in the front row of the gallery glaring at Moorea who sat with arms crossed, staring straight ahead.

Outside court, defence solicitor Chris Hannay described it as an old case and said they would apply for Supreme Court bail next week.

“All I would ask is that he be given a fair go,” Mr Hannay said.

He said Moorea was coping with the situation but was “a bit down”.

Shearin officially changed his name to Moorea after a French Polynesian island and his favourite cruise ship destination.

breeana-robinson-murder-charge

Breanna Robinson’s aunts, Janine Mackney (centre) and Sharon Rowe (right) and her cousin Edyn Mackney pose with her photograph outside Southport Magistrates on the Gold Coast on Friday. Photo: AAP

For Breeana’s aunt Janine Mackney, it has been six long years since Ms Robinson plunged to her death.

She never accepted an initial view that the 21-year-old took her own life, and embarked on a relentless campaign to convince authorities she believed she was allegedly murder.

Ms Mackney has been at every court hearing about her niece’s death on January 29, 2013.

She always carried pink roses and photos of her young, bubbly niece – often depicting her wearing her Gold Coast Titans cheerleading outfit – to remind people who Breeana was.

“All I have ever wanted in this six-year battle is clear Breeana’s name. He could not even look at us. He knew we were there.”

Police allege newly-acquired opinions from two biomechanics experts – that Ms Robinson, who was legally blind, was thrown from the balcony – played a big part in the arrest.

The charge of damaging evidence would relate to allegations the man deleted text messages about what occurred during a domestic incident on the night Ms Robinson died.

 
-AAP

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