A man accused of murdering his wife and two grandchildren listened intently and spoke only briefly during a short hearing in a regional NSW court today.
The 69-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Wagga Wagga Local Court via video-link from Junee Correctional Centre - 40km north-east of the southern NSW city.
He listened intently as the charges, three of murder and one of attempted murder, were read out.
Asked by Magistrate Anthony Murray whether he could hear proceedings, the man said it was difficult because he was hard of hearing.
"Keep your voice mid-range and it will be all right," the grandfather, wearing a green prison jumper, said in a Scottish accent.
He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused by Mr Murray.
Killed in the attack in Cowra last Monday were his 52-year-old wife, seven-year-old grandson and five-year-old granddaughter, while his 31-year-old police officer daughter was seriously injured.
The man's daughter, who was off-duty, discovered the bodies before allegedly being attacked with an axe.
She was released from Sydney's Nepean Hospital on Friday, after surgery for a fractured skull.
A healing service for the Cowra community was held at the St John's Anglican Church last Friday and the three victims are expected to be farewelled with a funeral service at St Raphael's Church this Friday.
A support fund for the family, set up in the wake of the tragedy has so far received $A17,000 ($NZ21,800) in donations.
During today's hearing, prosecutor Chris Murnane suggested future court proceedings should be transferred to Orange but the magistrate said the matter would stay in Wagga Wagga before "ultimately going back to Cowra at some stage".
The case was adjourned for six weeks to give the prosecution time to finalise its brief of evidence.
The man will reappear in Wagga Wagga court on August 25 via video-link.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Mr Murray asked the man whether he understood what had happened in court.
"Yes," he replied.
Outside court, the man's Legal Aid lawyer, Jim Allen, told reporters he expected the prosecution to have its brief together by late August "so we can respond".
Asked about his client's mental health, Mr Allen said: "I can't comment on his situation. I've taken instructions for the first time this morning."
The Cowra man is charged with murdering his wife and two grandchildren "between 12pm on Sunday, June 29 .... and 3pm on Monday, June 30".
The accused's daughter called ambulance officers to the family's weatherboard home in Cowra after arriving there on Monday afternoon.
