Daniel Oberin appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder of Matthew Alexander at Daltons Bridge, near Cohuna, on September 13, 2019.

Mr Oberin's co-accused, Kevin Johnson, also pleaded not guilty to Mr Alexander's murder. Mr Johnson was committed to stand trial following a hearing in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court last month.

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In addition to Tuesday's committal hearing, Mr Oberin made an application for bail.

The 30-year-old had been in custody for 18 months, the court heard, having handed himself in to police with the support of his family shortly after the alleged offending.

Mr Oberin's defence made submissions about the length of time he was likely to remain in custody awaiting trial, in seeking bail.

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The first half of 2022 was the earliest the matter was likely to go to trial, the court heard.

Mr Oberin would have been in custody for more than two years by that point.

Magistrate Russell Kelly said the charge required the court to refuse bail unless it could be proven there were exceptional circumstances.

He refused Mr Oberin bail, telling the court he was not satisfied there were exceptional circumstances, including the time it might take for the matter to go to trial.

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