Bail for sword murder accused
A YOUNG woman charged over the daylight killing of a hip-hop artist screamed “what ... have you done?” after her boyfriend allegedly struck the home invader in the head with a sword, a Sydney court has heard.
Hannah Quinn appeared via video link in Newtown Local Court yesterday charged with murder and accessory after the fact to murder following the death of 30year-old Jett McKee, who was found in the middle of a Forest Lodge intersection on August 10.
The 23-year-old and her boyfriend Blake Davis, 28, handed themselves in to police on Monday night.
Witnesses said Mr McKee was bleeding profusely as he staggered down a nearby street and collapsed with a head wound after being slashed with a samurai sword. It is not in dispute that Davis allegedly swung the weapon and fatally struck Mr McKee’s skull, the court heard.
Quinn’s lawyer Tom Hughes yesterday argued his client was “terrified” and “traumatised” when Mr McKee entered Davis’ Forest Lodge bedroom wearing a balaclava and demanding money while armed with a replica pistol and pepper spray.
Mr McKee allegedly punched Davis in the face with knuckledusters and he “went down”, Mr Hughes said.
“It is to be remembered that these were innocent people enjoying their Friday afternoon,” he said.
Police allege Mr McKee was chased by Quinn and Davis “after having abandoned his demand” and went from being the aggressor to the victim.
Mr Hughes argued the police claim that Quinn yelled “what the f*** have you done?” to Davis after the alleged attack showed the couple hadn’t spoken about using the sword on Mr McKee.
The prosecutor did not oppose Quinn’s release application.
She was granted conditional bail by magistrate Margaret Quinn, including that she report daily to Redfern police station and not have any contact with any prosecution witness.
Outside court, her mother Megan Quinn – who sobbed when her daughter appeared on the court monitor – thanked the media for “keeping an open mind” about the situation.
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to Jett McKee’s family. I hope his family is getting support too. My heart goes out to them,” she said.
Both accused are due in court on October 9. Davis has not applied for bail.