A mother and son who allegedly tried to hide the body of a woman killed in an alleged assault are likely to plead guilty to various charges, Darwin Local Court has heard.
Key points:
- The “partially hidden” body was found Wednesday in Virginia, in rural Darwin
- Police believe the body was moved after an alleged collision
- The couple’s lawyer indicated that they would probably plead guilty
The couple were arrested Wednesday afternoon after a human leg was found on the Stuart Highway on the outskirts of Darwin, initiating a major police investigation.
Joshua Mason, 23, has been charged with felony criminal mischief, assault and destruction, destruction of evidence and misconduct in connection with a corpse.
His mother, Deborah Mason, 50, faces similar charges after she allegedly helped her son hide his body and try to destroy evidence.
Judge Therese Austin said today the evidence against the couple was “overwhelming” and indicated a “bloody disregard” for the 43-year-old victim.
Police allege the woman and Mr. Mason moved the body of the 43-year-old woman. (ABC News: Myles Houlbrook-Walk)
“Total disregard” of the victim, according to the court
Judge Austin said the facts indicated that Ms. Mason had returned with her son to the scene of the incident after initially failing to find what she had hit.
“It was then that they discovered that there was indeed someone who had been beaten, a person and she was dead,” Judge Austin said.
“Then they took the body and put it in the car, left with it and formed at that time the intention to dispose of the deceased and not to call the authorities.”
The prosecutor said the couple’s decision to remain silent despite widespread media coverage showed “complete disregard” for the victim and that there was a wealth of evidence against the couple.
“Blood has been found in the tray of the vehicle driven by the defendant,” said prosecutor Jessica McLean.
“There are witness statements detailing the accused and co-defendants who removed the back of the ute and seized bloody towels from the defendants’ laundry for forensic evidence.”
The couple’s lawyer, Peter Maley, said his clients would probably plead guilty.
He argued that Mrs. Mason should be released on bail, as the mother of three had no criminal record and was unlikely to flee.
Judge Austin ordered an oversight report for Ms. Mason as she considered whether to grant bail.
Mr. and Mrs. Mason will return to Darwin Local Court on June 14th.
Police found the woman’s body at a Jenkins Road site in Virginia. (ABC News: Djamal Cook)
Bed uncovered Tuesday
The leg was found on the Stuart Highway on Tuesday, prompting a major search that led authorities to locate a body the next day.
Police believe the incident happened Monday night.
On Thursday, Detective Sergeant Major Paul Morrissey said that after a “suspicious vehicle” was identified, police rushed to another location where the body was found, which had been “partially hidden” and was in good condition. ” compatible with being hit by a vehicle “.
Sergeant Major Morrissey said police alleged that the man was the driver of the vehicle and that the woman had helped him move the body to another location.
“Investigations are ongoing, but at this stage we believe the victim’s body was removed from the scene by the driver and his accomplice after the collision,” he said.
“Hitting someone deadly with your vehicle and then doing everything you can to cover it up is reprehensible behavior.”
He said the information and images from the dashboard provided by members of the public had played a “vital role” in the arrest of the police couple.
Posted 8 hours, 8 hours ago, Friday, June 3, 2022 at 1:29 AM, updated 3 hours ago, 3 hours ago, Friday, June 3, 2022 at 6:52 AM