A murder charge against a young mother who was allegedly involved in the death of an Adelaide doctor during a home invasion has been dropped,
Key points:
- Respected doctor Michael Yung died from severe head and spinal injuries after an alleged home invasion
- m severe head and spinal injuries.She was being accused of killing her partner.
- The murder charge against Ms Davila has since been dropped and she has been released on bail
Jacinta Davila, 27, had been charged with murder along with her partner Kerem Mustafa Aydin, 22, following the death of paediatrician Michael Yung in his Gilberton home.
Ms Davila appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday, where Magistrate Michael Jandy was told the charges against her had changed.
The murder charge has been dropped, and she has instead been charged with assisting an offender.
Ms Davila was visibly emotional during the hearing, taking several deep breaths as Magistrate Jandy considered her bail application.
Ms Davila had previously argued to be released on bail to care for her nine-month-old child, and following the updated charges against her, prosecutors did not oppose bail.
Magistrate Jandy granted her home detention bail, with conditions including that she does not contact Mr Aydin.
Ms Davila was also told she must surrender her passport.
She told the court her mother would turn it in to authorities.
Previous court documents showed the pair was charged with murder and serious criminal trespass with an intent to steal property of the value of more than $30,000.
They further alleged the offender used or threatened to use a weapon during the theft.
The court previously heard the prosecution had obtained DNA evidence that linked both accused to the scene, but Ms Davila’s lawyer said they would contest the validity of the DNA samples on the basis that there may have been “secondary transfer”.
Dr Yung was found in his Gilberton home last week, with severe head and spinal injuries and died in hospital the following day.
He was the former head of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
He also set up a similar unit in Kilifi, Kenya, and worked in remote Indigenous communities.
The pair were arrested at a shopping centre in Torrensville in Adelaide’s western suburbs, the day after Dr Yung died.
It was alleged they had stolen first-aid supplies from a pharmacy and a supermarket to treat Mr Aydin’s injuries, sustained during the home invasion.
The court also heard a search of their Thebarton home found blood-stained clothing and shoes, and glass fragments on shoes and in the washing machine.
Ms Davlia and Mr Aydin will appear in court again in March.
Police have said there was no connection identified between the couple and the alleged victim.
