Bail denied for woman accused of repeatedly trying to kill ex-partner

South Australia's Supreme Court has refused bail for Lisa Lines, a woman accused of orchestrating a violent attack on her former partner, Jonathon Hawtin, back in 2017. The decision, handed down by Justice Rachael Gray, underscores the serious nature of the charges and the perceived risk Lines poses. The court highlighted Lines's actions after leaving Australia, describing her travel as a deliberate attempt to evade authorities, which significantly influenced the assessment of her flight risk. Furthermore, the alleged persistent and determined efforts to harm both Mr. Hawtin and his mother were critical considerations. Lines, an academic and historian, has been in custody since her extradition from Palau in 2023. The court's focus on these elements – flight risk, ongoing threat to victims, and potential danger to the community – reflects a stringent approach to bail in cases involving alleged severe violence. The upcoming trial, set for August next year, will determine the final outcome of these grave accusations.

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The flight risk that the applicant poses is, in my view, essential and a significant matter which has caused me to consider very carefully whether the risk is such that the presumption in favour of bail is overcome.