Bail for man charged over grisly killing

A MAN charged with being an accessory to the grisly murder of Clarendon Vale woman Michelle Meades has been granted bail.

Ms Meades, 51, went missing in New Town on September 16 last year.

Six days later police found her body in a burnt-out public housing estate in Clarendon Vale.

Firefighters attended the semi-detached property to extinguish a blaze, which caused about $150,000 damage. Ms Meades’ body was found in a part of the unit not damaged by fire.

Police launched a murder probe and officers seized a number of items, including an alleged weapon, to be sent for forensic testing.

In November last year Kylie Jane Hack, 34, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court and pleaded not guilty to murder- ing Ms Meades. Ms Hack, of Mornington, was accused of killing Ms Meades in Clarendon Vale on September 17.

Gary Matthews, 57, of Clarendon Vale, was charged with being an accessory after the fact and failing to report a killing.

Both Ms Hack and Mr Matthews pleaded not guilty to all charges and both had been in custody since then.

In the Supreme Court in Hobart yesterday, before Act- ing Justice Pierre Slicer, both accused appeared for a preliminary proceedings application.

Crown prosecutor Jack Shapiro told the court he had received the application in relation to Ms Hack’s case yesterday and would need time to consider its contents.

Both cases were adjourned until February 5 next year.

Ms Hack was remanded in custody, but Mr Matthews was granted bail.