Vic axe murder accused flags new evidence

A man charged over a halfway-house murder that sparked a two-day man hunt asked what would happen if new evidence emerged, in his first court appearance.

Earl Jones, 29, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court charged over the death of a 45-year-old man whose body was discovered in The Regal rooming house in St Kilda on Monday morning.

In the filing hearing for the single murder charge, as well as charges of trespassing, robbery and receiving stolen goods, Jones' lawyer said his client was withdrawing from a drug of dependence.

Magistrate John Hardy told Jones he would be remanded until his next hearing in December prompting Jones to ask, "What if there was some new evidence brought to light?"

Jones was remanded into custody until December 8.

The 29-year-old of no fixed address is also facing summary burglary charges that will be heard in September.