AN elderly man was found with blood on his hands after he allegedly murdered a fellow patient at an aged care facility, an Adelaide court has heard.

Peter Henry Palmer was also allegedly involved in a "number of incidents" at the Oakden facility leading up to the resident's death.

Palmer, 84, is charged with the murder of a 71-year old man at the Makk and McLeay Aged Care home on February 28.

Prosecutor Susannah Paton said the majority of the Crown allegations had been handed to Palmer's lawyers.

"We are still awaiting the results of forensic testing of blood found on the accused's hands," Ms Paton said.

Palmer's lawyer Natalie Browne said she had received a pathology report but the court is yet to be told of a cause of death.

Palmer, 84, was excused from today's hearing in Holden Hill Magistrates Court.

The court heard that the alleged murder was not the first time Palmer had been involved in "incidents" at the aged care home.

Crown Solicitor's office lawyer Katrina Bochner handed the court a large bundle of documents relating to a number of incidents involving Palmer leading up to the death.

Palmer's lawyers had issued a subpoena for the incident reports, including a Health Department probe into the resident's death.

Ms Bochner said while the majority of information sought had been provided, some unspecified details were unable to be given to the court without specific permission of the Federal Health Minister because of privacy laws.

Magistrate Ted Iuliano said he would have to read the reams of documents before ruling on what could be used in the court case.

Magistrate Iuliano said it was likely Palmer's lawyers would apply to have their client declared mentally incompetent to have committed the offence of murder.

"That application will have to be heard in the Supreme Court, so the sooner we get it up there, the sooner this can be resolved," Mr Iuliano said.

The court has previously heard that there was a "substantial delay" between the patient's death to when nursing home staff reported the matter to police.

Comments cannot be published for legal reasons

Source: Adelaide Now - Andrew Dowdell, Court Reporter