BRIAN Barnes, 67, faced Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Thursday for a filing hearing after being charged with murdering Quambatook woman Merril Kelly.

Mr Barnes was remanded in custody to reappear in court in April for a committal mention.

His lawyer, Paul Kidd, told the court it was Mr Barnes' first time in custody, and that he required blood-pressure medication.

Mr Kidd said his client also di...