HARLEY Hicks will stand trial for the murder of baby Zayden Veal.
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Hicks stood in the dock of the Bendigo Magistrates Court and declared he was “not guilty” at the end of a four day committal hearing on Friday.
Magistrate Greg McNamara ordered Hicks to face trial, based on the evidence provided to the hearing.
Hicks was cheered by supporters as he was taken to a divisional van at the back of the court.
A number of people shouted “we love you Harley” and “stay strong”.
Police allege Hicks is responsible for murdering 11-month-old Zayden in a frenzied attack during a break-in on June 15 last year.
The four day committal hearing heard from 13 witnesses, including Hicks' friends and family, and detectives involved in the investigation.
Hicks was not called to give evidence.
Detective Senior Constable Robert Catania closed the hearing by telling the court he discovered a wallet belonging to Zayden’s step-father Matt Tissell.
The item was recovered from Harley’s brother Joshua Hicks’ Long Gully home on June 20 last year, along with an X-Box and sunglasses.
The court heard the wallet discovery was a critical link for police in treating Hicks as a chief suspect in the homicide investigation.
Undercover police operative Rocco Whitaker* told the court he performed covert duties in order to gain an insight into Hicks’ involvement on the day of the baby’s death.
In a statement tendered to the court Rocco said he discussed a range of topics with Hicks in a police cell at Bendigo Police Station on June 22, last year.
The statement shows Hicks told Rocco he was not involved in the murder.
Hicks has been remanded to face the Supreme Court of Victorian for a directions hearing on September 30.
*Rocco Whitaker is not his real name