WARNING: This story includes the name of an Indigenous person who has died.
Jordan Macdonald, one of two men charged with murdering Jai Gray and interfering with his corpse, faces continued detention after a Supreme Court judge denied his bail application.
Authorities discovered the 35-year-old victim’s body in June 2024 near Mount Ngungun in Queensland’s Glass House Mountains, north of Brisbane. Prosecutors describe the killing as a planned assassination involving a frenzied knife attack.
Bail Hearing in Brisbane Supreme Court
During Friday’s hearing in Brisbane, the 24-year-old Macdonald appeared via video link from prison and represented himself. He argued that the case facts remain heavily disputed, citing withdrawn, altered, and revised witness statements.
“As per the crown’s own affidavit, there is a litany of withdrawn, altered, second-guessed and revised witness statements about key matters,” Macdonald told the court.
Crown prosecutor Matthew Le Grand emphasized that the prosecution relies on an eyewitness account of the planned killing. He anticipated defense challenges to the witness’s credibility but noted supporting evidence from multiple sources, including another witness and Macdonald’s alleged confession to a friend.
Key Evidence Presented
An autopsy revealed at least 40 sharp instrument injuries on Gray, confirming the eyewitness’s description of a frenzied knife attack, Le Grand stated.
The eyewitness also guided police to the body. Surveillance footage and telecommunications data place Macdonald at the scene, while prior messages between Macdonald and his co-accused discuss “having revenge” on Gray.
The trio shared a home where Macdonald and his co-accused supplied cannabis instead of rent. Tensions escalated as Gray planned their eviction.
Macdonald initially denied involvement but later admitted to police that he confronted Gray over accusations. He blamed his co-accused for the stabbing, yet confessed to throwing the body off a cliff, destroying Gray’s phone, and burning evidence.
Justice’s Ruling and Next Steps
Le Grand highlighted the offense’s savage nature, witness interference risks, and Macdonald’s alleged plans to flee the country before arrest, urging bail denial.
Macdonald countered that prosecution claims were cherry-picked and stressed his personal changes since arrest. He promised to live with a family friend in Brisbane, seek employment, and prepare his defense.
“I very much would need the chance to fight my case and prove my innocence, which is proving more and more difficult while I am in jail,” he said.
Justice Paul Smith acknowledged potential credibility issues but found sufficient evidence of Macdonald’s involvement. “The case doesn’t seem weak … on this preliminary view it seems like a reasonable case at this point,” the judge ruled, refusing bail.
Macdonald’s committal hearing is scheduled for July.
