A man accused of bludgeoning a 62-year-old to death in the backyard of a Gold Coast home has refused legal representation and appeared shirtless in a court appearance this morning.
Police have charged Jessie Dean Buchanan, 36, with murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and receiving tainted property.
Trevor Schneider's body was found with significant head injuries at a property on Lillian Crescent in Ashmore shortly before 9am on Sunday.
Police had been called by neighbours to conduct a welfare check at the home.
Mr Buchanan did not apply for bail when he appeared in Southport Magistrates Court via video link this morning.
"I'm a good person, ma'am. I've never harmed a fly," he told Magistrate Sarah Thompson.
"In this situation I don't feel like I can trust anyone, to be honest. This whole process has been really overwhelming and rushed for me."
Magistrate Thompson told Mr Buchanan that he faced serious charges.
"You are charged with murder," she said.
"It's the most serious charge in the criminal court — you need to speak to somebody.
"You need to get some legal advice."
Mr Buchanan told the court he had been "constantly robbed and drugged" since moving to the Gold Coast six weeks ago.
"I've been sleeping on the streets, meeting all these different people, I feel like I have been manipulated, my things have been stolen," he said.
"My phone has been taken, I can't even speak to my family. There are very weird things going on in this city."
Accused found hours after body discovered
Mr Buchanan was arrested in the car park of a Molendinar shopping complex just before 1pm on Sunday.
Police said he was not wearing pants and alleged he was found with the victim's vehicle and credit card.
It is not clear if the men were known to each other.
According to police, Mr Schneider was last seen around 7:30pm on Saturday with members of his family at the Musgrave Bowls Club at Southport.
Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have seen Mr Schneider or his vehicle, a white 2005 Toyota HiLux with a distinctive rooftop camper, between 6:30pm Saturday and 1pm Sunday to come forward.
Mr Buchanan will remain in custody until his next court appearance in March.
