Easton Woodhead has been charged with murder. Source: Supplied
A FORMER private schoolboy charged with the murder of homeless man Wayne "Mousey" Perry might have acted in self-defence, a court has heard.
It is alleged Mr Perry was killed following a dispute at Enterprize Park, near Flinders St station, in January.
Former Melbourne Grammar student Easton Woodhead, 19, has been charged with his murder.
He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court via videolink from the Melbourne Remand Centre this morning.
The court heard lawyers were still working through a police brief of evidence against Mr Woodhead.
But they said there was a possibility he may have acted in self-defence following a dispute with Mr Perry.
The dispute was allegedly over a motorbike Mr Woodhead claimed he had recieved for his 18th birthday.
It is alleged he had accused Mr Perry of stealing the bike shortly before stabbing him.
While there was no evidence Mr Perry was armed before his death, the court heard there may have been a struggle over a knife during a fight with Mr Woodhead.
His lawyer told the court there was evidence of phonecalls between Mr Perry and an unknown man over the allegedly stolen motorbike.
The man, not believed to be Mr Woodhead, allegedly spoke to Mr Perry over a number of days before his death.
The unknown man told Mr Perry that he had stolen a bike he had bought and threatened to stab him to death if it wasn't returned.
He allegedly gave him "two days to deliver the bike" or be killed. About 16 witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence at a four-day committal hearing in October.
Mr Perry had been known to homeless services for decades.
Shortly after his death Major Brendan Nottle of the Salvation Army said the system had failed him.
Mr Woodhead was remanded to reappear in court on October 13.
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