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Wedge Island death: WA police charge man after NYE party fight Wedge Island death: WA police charge man after NYE party fight
(about 3 hours later)
A 23-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a young man at a New Year's Eve beach party on a small island north of Perth. A 23-year-old man has appeared briefly in court charged with the murder of a young man at a New Year's Eve beach party north of Perth.
Police say James Dorloff, 20, died after being assaulted on the 400metre-long Wedge Island, shortly before 1.30am (WST) on Wednesday. James Dorloff, 20, died after being attacked, possibly with a knife or machete, on the 400-metre-long Wedge Island, shortly before 1.30am local time on Wednesday.
There are unconfirmed reports that the pair were involved in a brawl involving a knife or machete. Joseph Robert Houston has been charged with his murder and with intent to do grievous bodily harm unlawfully wounding another.
The accused man has been charged with murder and with intent to do grievous bodily harm unlawfully wounding another. He appeared briefly in the Perth magistrates court on Thursday and was remanded in custody on a seven-day hospital order for a mental health assessment.
He has been refused bail and will appear in the Perth magistrates court later on Thursday. Houston will next appear in court on 9 January.
Outside court, his father offered his condolences to the Dorloff family.
Johnny Cady, who was with Dorloff at the party, posted a photograph of his friend on Facebook with the caption: "Thank you for riding shotgun through this car wreck that is my life."Johnny Cady, who was with Dorloff at the party, posted a photograph of his friend on Facebook with the caption: "Thank you for riding shotgun through this car wreck that is my life."
Three other people were also injured, with one being flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth hospital. Two other people, both 25, were injured – a man was flown by rescue helicopter to Royal Perth hospital and a woman was taken by ambulance to Joondalup health campus.
The other two were taken by ambulance to the Joondalup health campus. The Wedge Island Protection Association (WIPA) issued a statement saying anti-social behaviour in the area had increased since the opening of Indian Ocean Drive three years ago, due to ease of access by two-wheel drive road vehicles, social media and lack of sufficient resources to control anti-social behaviour.
The Wedge Island Protection Association (WIPA) issued a statement saying anti-social behaviour in the area had increased since the opening of the Indian Ocean Drive three years ago due to ease of access by two-wheel drive road vehicles, social media and lack of sufficient resources to control anti-social behaviour. The group said it would continue to offer input to local authorities to better manage the risks associated with gatherings near the Wedge Island area and anti-social behaviour.
WIPA said the incident happened outside the settlement and did not involve shack occupants.
The group said it would continue to offer input to local authorities to better manage the risks associated with gatherings near Wedge Island and anti-social behaviour.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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