A 10-day trial has been set for the man accused of killing former Mineral Resources executive Tim Picton, who pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
Brodie Jake Dewar, 21, formally pleaded not guilty to one charge of unlawfully killing Mr Picton over an incident in Northbridge in late 2025.
Mr Dewar appeared in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on Monday morning, to confirm his plea before WA Supreme Court judge Joseph McGrath.
Justice McGrath has set the matter for a trial, to be held on July 20 to August 2 next year.
“It may be shorter, but the court will have courtroom and judge available for the whole period,” he told the court.
A hearing to discuss and determine preliminary issues before the trial will be held in court in early December.
The court was told the state’s prosecution was in a position to “get ready for trial”.
Mr Dewar was initially charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly punching Mr Picton in Northbridge on December 27.
The punch allegedly caused Mr Picton to fall and hit his head, with the former WA Labor secretary having to be in an induced coma in Royal Perth Hospital until his death in January.
The charge against Mr Dewar was upgraded to manslaughter upon Mr Picton’s death.
Mr Dewar was granted bail in March, after he was kept in custody at Hakea Prison since mid-January.
The string of conditions attached to his bail includes a ban on entering licensed premises and no consumption or alcohol and illicit substances.
Other conditions include Mr Dewar handing over his passport and having a curfew to stay at his parents’ Lesmurdie home between 7pm and 5am.
Mr Picton was WA Labor state secretary and the campaign director behind former premier Mark McGowan's landslide win in the 2021 state election.
His memorial service in January was attended by hundreds of people including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and WA Premier Roger Cook.
Mr Picton joined MinRes in 2022 as its director of strategy.
