Queensland butcher accused of murder ‘had time to decapitate friend,’ court hears

An experienced halal butcher charged with murder had a one-hour window in which to decapitate his friend and dispose of his body, a Brisbane court has heard.

According to the prosecution, Mohammed Khan drove from his Rockhampton home to the banks of a muddy inlet of the Fitzroy River and brutally murdered fishing buddy and colleague Syied Alam, on the night of April 5 last year.

He then returned home and later went out again with friends, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard today.

"On the prosecution case he managed to do that within this hour time period without leaving any forensic traces in his vehicle and without anybody evidencing any actions by him to either clean himself, to change clothes or to clean the vehicle in anyway," defence barrister James Godbolt said.

"There is absolutely no forensic evidence at all to suggest Mr Khan has in any way been involved in the killing."

SES volunteers discovered the headless, decomposing remains of Mr Alam ten days after the alleged murder.

They also found a small tomahawk and his head, wrapped in black jeans, nearby.

An autopsy revealed Mr Alam's neck had been cut with a sharp knife or similar weapon before a heavier blade was used to cleave his head from his neck.

Mr Khan was denied bail, with crown prosecutor Jodie Wooldridge telling the court he had both “the skill and means” to murder Mr Alam.

The experienced halal slaughterman, she said, had the knowledge and access to tools to carry out the "unique execution."

The tomahawk was similar to one Mr Khan had been seen with at his home, she said.

Mr Khan's motive to murder Mr Alam, who he had lived and worked with for years after first meeting him in immigration detention, was an affair, she said.

Ms Wooldridge said Mr Khan knew his alleged victim's brother was sleeping with his wife and had also been shown a naked selfie his wife had sent the man.

But witness statements suggested this was likely not a strong motive, Mr Godbolt said.

"The motive makes no logical sense," he said.

"Surely the gripe you would have would be with the person having the affair."

Justice Glenn Martin agreed the motive was unclear.

"Where's the motive? Why kill a man?" he asked.

Ms Wooldridge argued that if granted bail Mr Khan could interfere with witnesses and may flee and avoid court due to the serious nature of the charges.

Justice Martin found Mr Godbolt had not shown cause why Mr Khan's detention was unjustified and refused bail.

Mr Khan's matter will return to court for mention in May.

With AAP