Baden-Clay courtroom cleared

The bail application for accused murderer Gerard Baden-Clay has been interrupted and the courtroom cleared.

Five minutes into the proceedings in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Justice Glenn Martin asked for the packed court to be cleared.

Supporters of Baden-Clay and the media were asked to leave the Queensland Law Courts building.

Baden-Clay’s legal team have also left the building and are waiting in the forecourt outside.

The Brisbane man is accused of murdering his wife Allison, who he reported missing on April 20, and whose body was found on the banks of a creek 10 days later.

Baden-Clay was not at the Supreme Court for the start of proceedings.

He is being held in custody in the medical wing of the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre at Wacol, west of Brisbane.

His sister, Olivia Walton, was one of a large number of supporters who had packed the courtroom, where several people were forced to stand.

In his opening statements Baden-Clay’s barrister Peter Davis SC said police had alleged his client had been largely unco-operative.

“The fact is that he has been involved consensually in two forensic examinations and he’s engaged a solicitor to deal with police,” Mr Davis told the court before the hearing was interrupted without explanation.

“His lack of co-operation is not evidence of guilt.”

Mr Davis said police had released material to The Courier-Mail newspaper that positively identified Baden-Clay as a person of interest.

Justice Glenn Martin then cleared the court.

Baden-Clay, 41, was charged on Wednesday of last week with murdering Allison, 43, and interfering with her body.

No information on why the building was cleared, or when proceedings will resume, has been given.

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