The man accused of murdering Nicholas Sofer-Schreiber has again faced an ACT court, as the slain punk rocker’s friends prepare for a musical festival in his honour on Saturday.
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Christopher David Navin, 27 of Watson, is charged with the stabbing murder of Mr Sofer-Schreiber just after Christmas.
Mr Sofer-Schreiber was found dead by friends with multiple stab wounds in his Hall Street unit near the Lyneham shops.
The murder sparked a major police investigation, which took seven weeks and included the search of a property in Grafton in northern NSW.
Navin was first brought before the ACT Magistrates Court in February, where his solicitor, Peter Woodhouse, indicated his client would plead not guilty.
The accused murderer appeared before the court again briefly on Thursday. The court heard the brief of evidence was going to take longer than expected to prepare, and the case will now not be back before the court until late June.
Magistrate Peter Dingwall formally remanded Navin in custody and adjourned the matter.
Navin’s appearance comes days before a punk rock festival in Mr Sofer-Schreiber’s honour.
More than 300 people are expected to attend DansonFest at The Basement in Belconnen on Saturday night.
Friends of the avid punk rock fan, known affectionately as the Ginger Ninja, hope the night will become an annual event, with profits to be donated to charity.
DansonFest bookings and venue organiser Craig McMillan said funds raised at the inaugural event would go towards establishing a larger annual Ginger Ninja punk rock festival, probably to be held in Sydney.
Mr McMillan said more than 350 posters and 2500 flyers had been distributed to help advertise Saturday’s festival.
"The vibe has been electric so far," he said.
"There was such a response band-wise for this particular event that we had to draw a limit on it.
"In the end we focused on bands that were close to Nick’s heart.”
DansonFest sponsorship manager Penelope Foudoulis said some of the 16 bands to perform on Saturday night had reunited especially for the event.
She encouraged anyone interested in live music or formerly involved in the Canberra scene to attend.
"People who used to go to shows a lot should come along and relive those good times," she said.
"It will be a nice celebration and a good catch up for everyone."
Tickets purchased through ruffnready.com.au. Doors open at 4pm.
People who cannot attend can make a donation via the website.
