The man accused of bashing Canberra grandfather Miodrag Gajic to death on New Year's Day has pleaded not guilty to murder.
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Alleged murderer Danny Andrew Klobucar's lawyer has asked for more time to look into suggestions that a different man may be "criminally concerned" with the crime.
Mr Klobucar, 25, is facing the ACT Magistrates Court accused of murdering Mr Gajic in his Mansfield Place unit in Phillip on January 1.
Friends made the gruesome discovery of Mr Gajic, 71, lying dead on his floor when they went to check on him about 2pm.
His death was caused by blunt force trauma to the head, consistent with weapons like a bat or a bar, the court heard on Thursday.
Mr Klobucar was arrested on the night of the murder at the Lighthouse pub in Belconnen on a string of other offences.
He was held in custody and eventually charged with Mr Gajic's murder in March, following a lengthy homicide investigation by ACT Policing. That investigation saw police sift through rubbish at the Mugga Lane tip for a shoe and search a home in Chapman.
On Thursday morning, defence lawyer Craig Lynch entered a plea of not guilty to the murder on Mr Klobucar's behalf before Magistrate Beth Campbell.
Mr Lynch asked for more time to seek advice about a second man who may potentially be linked to the murder.
He told the court the man had been identified by a witness making threats to kill and holding a stick, which may be consistent with blunt force trauma. Mr Lynch said there had been no search of, or interview with, this other man.
He said he may wish to call the witness at a committal hearing.
The court also heard the prosecution had handed a brief of evidence to Mr Klobucar's defence team.
Mr Lynch said he would need more time to look through forensic statements, which he said were crucial to the case against his client.
He said the defence may wish to cross-examine scientific officers or the forensic pathologist before Mr Klobucar is committed to the ACT Supreme Court.
Ms Campbell granted a four-week adjournment and Mr Klobucar will reappear in mid-August.
The accused killer was not in court for Thursday's proceedings.
