Steven Fennell's lawyer claims he was 'not surprised' to be arrested for murder of Macleay Island's Liselotte Watson THE man accused of killing Macleay Island grandmother Liselotte Watson was not surprised to be arrested for her murder, his lawyer said. Steven Mark John Fennell, 53, was arrested on the island on Thursday and appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Wearing the same clothes as when he was arrested, Mr Fennell didn't address Magistrates Brian Kilmartin and didn't apply for bail. His defence lawyer Michael Gatenby told the court police had about 300 witness statements, as well as transcripts of conversations from intercepting telephone calls that would be tendered as evidence. Ms Watson, 85, was found dead in the bedroom of her home on Macleay Island on November 13. Outside court Mr Gatenby said his client would be defending the murder charge. He's obviously disappointed to be charged but at the same time he sees this as an opportunity to clear his name. Mr Gatenby said the police's case against Mr Fennell was "very circumstantial" and lacking "any direct evidence." He said since his client had raised the alarm about Ms Watson and his home was subsequently searched by police there had been "so much rumour and innuendo" about Mr Fennell on the island. (Mr Fennell) came forward because police continued to nominate him as a suspect without calling him a suspect. Mr Gatenby said Mr Fennell was concerned for his wife and young children that remain on Macleay Island. He said Mr Fennell was not surprised by yesterday's arrest as "it's been coming for some time." Due to the large volume of evidence, Mr Fennell's case was adjourned to a committal call over in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 22. Mr Gatenby said he intended to apply for bail for his client in the coming weeks.