Alleged murderer denied bail after revealing self-defence argument

In short:

Conor O'Neill, 40, has been denied bail after being charged with murder following the death of his partner.

Mr O'Neill is alleged to have stabbed his 47-year-old partner twice while driving in the Darwin satellite city of Palmerston.

What's next?

The case is due to return to court next month, with Mr O'Neill's lawyer saying he will likely argue "defensive conduct" at trial.

A 40-year-old Northern Territory man has been refused bail after allegedly fatally stabbing his partner with a kitchen knife while driving through Palmerston on September 18.

Conor O'Neill has been charged with murdering his partner, a 47-year-old transgender woman who died from her injuries at Royal Darwin Hospital 10 days later.

Mr O'Neill's lawyer Koulla Roussos this week argued for Mr O'Neill to be bailed so he could help look after his frail mother, Fran Windsor, who is living with multiple sclerosis. Ms Windsor was present for the hearing.

Ms Roussos also said Mr O'Neill would likely argue at trial there was an element of "defensive conduct" employed on the night the victim was stabbed to the chest and stomach.

"When giving his account to police, he discussed … driving in the car and the deceased attacking him with the same kitchen knife [allegedly used in the stabbing]," she said.

"He lifted his hand to show police not only the way that he responded, but in doing so disclosed an injury, with a bandage that was covering it."

Ms Roussos said there had been "concerns that the deceased had been abusing methamphetamine and behaving erratically" raised with police earlier the same day.

She also said lengthy delays were likely before Mr O'Neill would be able to go to trial.

Alleged offender's injury a 'small cut'

Crown prosecutor Rhiannon McGlinn said Mr O'Neill's criminal history included a previous charge related to violent knife crime, and opposed bail on any conditions.

"When anyone is charged with murder there is a great incentive to flee, whether they are linked to Darwin or not,"

she said.

"And the concern is the bail conditions proposed do not ameliorate those risks in this matter.

"Notwithstanding the references to defensive conduct, Your Honour can see a small cut to the top of the palm of Mr O'Neill's hand, and the other person involved is now dead.

"There is still in any event a likelihood that he will need to spend a term of imprisonment, regardless of whether it was murder or some lesser offence."

In court today, Judge David Woodroffe refused bail, citing Mr O'Neill's criminal history of knife violence and the severity of the accusation he is currently facing.

"I cannot be satisfied that the risk to the community has been overcome," he said.

The matter is due to return to court for a directions hearing on December 14.