Australian prosecutors were today debating whether the man suspected of murdering missing British backpacker Peter Falconio should be tried first on separate double rape charges.
Police believe Mr Bradley Murdoch shot Mr Falconio (28) of Hepworth, near Huddersfield, on a lonely desert road in the Northern Territory on July 14th, 2001.
However, Mr Murdoch is being held in a jail in neighbouring South Australia state, where he faces charges of raping a mother and daughter earlier this year.
Legal experts suggest Mr Murdoch may stand trial for the rapes - and possibly even serve a prison sentence of up to 15 years - in South Australia before he can be tried on charges relating to Mr Falconio's suspected killing in the Northern Territory. The regions have separate jusrisdictions.
South Australian Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Paul Rofe said he had discussed the case unofficially with his counterpart from the Northern Territory.
Mr Murdoch, a 44-year-old mechanic, was questioned yesterday by Northern Territory detectives about Mr Falconio's disappearance.
The tourist is believed to have been shot 190 miles north of the central city of Alice Springs by a gunman who also attempted to abduct his girlfriend, Joanne Lees. She escaped unharmed.
Mr Murdoch has refused to answer any questions. Police also raided his home and seized what they described as "a number of significant items".
DNA samples from both cases have also been compared.
AP