One of two women accused of killing a police officer by hitting him with a car has been ordered to stand trial for murder.
Skye Anne Wallis and Kari O’Brien faced Brisbane Magistrates Court today for a committal hearing after being charged with murdering senior constable David Masters.
The 53-year-old officer died after being hit by a suspected stolen car while deploying a tyre deflation device on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary, north of Brisbane, about 3am on June 26, 2021.
Magistrate Peter Saggers today ordered that Wallis stand trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court on one count each of murder, arson and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
“Do you wish to say anything in answer to those charges or enter a plea?” Saggers asked Wallis.
“No, Your Honour,” Wallis said.
The Crown alleges the vehicle used to kill senior constable Masters was driven by 36-year-old Wallis, while O’Brien was a passenger.
The Crown has alleged Wallis is responsible for the death as she drove the car dangerously at or toward the officer or by acting with reckless indifference to human life.
The court was due today to hear a submission from O’Brien’s barrister, Christopher Wilson, that his client has no case to answer.
Wilson is set to argue that there is insufficient evidence to commit his 27-year-old client to stand trial for murder.
Saggers committed Wallis to stand trial after hearing testimony from a witness in closed court.
The witness was granted special status after Saggers accepted prosecutor Dejana Kovac’s submission and a police report about threats made against the witness.
Wallis will face trial at a later date to be notified by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Wallis was remanded in custody and her case will next be heard in December along with a separate charge of weapons possession.