Key Takeaways
- Lisa Lines, a 45-year-old former university academic, is accused of attempting to murder her ex-partner, Jonathon Hawtin, in 2017.
- Lines is charged alongside Zachariah Bruckner, 32, who allegedly hit Hawtin with an axe, rendering him tetraplegic.
- Prosecutors allege that Lines searched for "hit men" and "poison" and proposed methods of killing, including "bombing or gassing".
- Lines has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is seeking home detention bail due to hardship on her children and unmet health needs in prison.
- The prosecution opposes bail, citing the serious nature of the alleged offenses and the risk of flight and harm to the community.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Lisa Lines, a 45-year-old former university academic, has been heard in the South Australia Supreme Court. Lines is accused of attempting to murder her ex-partner, Jonathon Hawtin, in 2017. The alleged incident occurred at Hawtin’s home in Littlehampton, where Zachariah Bruckner, 32, allegedly hit Hawtin with an axe, rendering him tetraplegic. Lines is charged alongside Bruckner, and another woman, Letitia Fortune, 37, is charged with attempting to smother Hawtin with a "pillow or bag" at his rehabilitation center.
The Allegations Against Lines
The prosecution alleges that Lines had searched for "hit men" and "poison" online, including cyanide and arsenic. It is also alleged that she proposed methods of killing Hawtin and his mother, including creating a car accident and bombing or gassing them. The court heard that Lines had spoken with undercover police, who were acting as hit men, and had discussed these methods with them. The prosecution claims that Lines had a "fixation" on killing Hawtin and his mother, and that she had "meticulously" planned her departure to non-Interpol countries and researched extradition law prior to leaving Australia.
The Bail Application
Lines’ defense argued that she should be released on home detention bail due to the hardship her imprisonment has on her children and the fact that her complicated health needs are not being met in prison. The defense proposed strict bail conditions, including that Lines not have access to any device that could connect to the internet. However, the prosecution opposed all forms of bail, citing the serious nature of the alleged offenses and the risk of flight and harm to the community. The prosecutor, Timisha Ward, alleged that Lines had spent $230,000 to buy citizenship of Vanuatu and had researched extradition law, making her a significant flight risk.
The Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution’s case against Lines is based on her search history and documentation about "assassins", "hit men", and poisons. The court heard that Lines had a "strong motivation" to kill Hawtin and his mother, and that she had taken steps to plan and prepare for the alleged offense. The prosecution also alleged that Lines’ health issues, including possible bowel cancer, brain aneurysm, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, carpal tunnel, and a prolapsed pelvic floor, were being adequately managed within the prison health system. The prosecutor argued that Lines was a "very poor candidate" for bail and that the prosecution had a strong case against her.
The Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court Justice has ordered a home detention suitability report and the matter will return to court in January. The court will consider the prosecution’s opposition to bail and the defense’s arguments for home detention. The outcome of the case will depend on the court’s assessment of the risks and benefits of releasing Lines on bail, as well as the strength of the prosecution’s case against her. The case highlights the complexities and challenges of prosecuting alleged offenses that involve planning and preparation, and the need for careful consideration of the risks and benefits of releasing accused persons on bail.
Conclusion
The case of Lisa Lines is a complex and serious one, involving allegations of attempted murder and planning and preparation for a violent offense. The prosecution’s case against Lines is based on her search history and documentation, as well as her alleged conversations with undercover police. The defense has argued that Lines should be released on home detention bail due to hardship on her children and unmet health needs in prison. The court’s decision will depend on a careful consideration of the risks and benefits of releasing Lines on bail, as well as the strength of the prosecution’s case against her. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for Lines, her children, and the community, and will highlight the importance of careful consideration of the risks and benefits of releasing accused persons on bail.
