A West Australian judge is deliberating whether Bradley Robert Edwards should be tried separately for crimes allegedly committed against an 18-year-old woman in 1988 and the Claremont serial killings in 1996 and 1997.
A pre-trial hearing was held this week, with the prosecution arguing why propensity evidence should be admissible in Edwards' forthcoming trial and the defence outlining reasons to separate the earlier offences from the more serious, later charges.
These include an abduction and two rapes he allegedly committed against a woman in Karrakatta cemetery in 1995.
There were many revelations, including Edwards' conviction for attacking a hospital social worker from behind, covering her mouth and trying to drag her into nearby toilets in 1990.
The Supreme Court of WA also heard Ciara Glennon's cause of death was consistent with her neck being cut while Jane Rimmer had "defects" around her neck.
Their bodies were found in bushland but the third murder victim, Sarah Spiers, has never been found.
Justice Stephen Hall, who will preside over Edwards' nine-month trial without a jury starting in July, has reserved his decision on the propensity evidence and severance application.
A criminal case conference will be held on March 20 where the progress of the trial preparations will be discussed.
Edwards' defence team is still deciding whether to challenge DNA evidence.
Australian Associated Press
