Perth man fit to plead over NYE murder

A 23-year-old man charged with the murder of a young man at a New Year's Eve beach party north of Perth has been deemed fit to plead following an assessment at a psychiatric facility.

James Dorloff, 20, died after being attacked, possibly with a knife or machete, on the 400-metre-long Wedge Island, shortly before 1.30am (WST) on January 1.

Two other people also suffered injuries.

Joseph Robert Houston has been charged with murder and with intent to do grievous bodily harm unlawfully wounding another.

He appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from the Frankland Centre at Graylands Hospital where he underwent a seven-day mental health assessment and was deemed fit to plead.

Houston will be moved to a prison and will appear in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court via video link on January 29.