Woman killed partner, burned body: cops
A woman accused of the murder of her partner has been granted bail, but a shock move from the police means she will remain in jail until at least Monday morning while the decision is reviewed.
Anastasia Narelle Marshall appeared at Adelaide Magistrates Court for her third bail hearing on Friday after she was arrested and charged in February with the murder of Krystal Marshall at an Aldinga Beach home in Adelaide’s outer south.
Police allege Anastasia Marshall and a 48-year-old man murdered Krystal on October 19, 2023, and then set fire to the house the next day.
Anastasia, 29, denies the offending, and first applied for bail before magistrate Kate White in February.
The prosecution has consistently opposed bail for Anastasia, arguing the seriousness of the alleged offence and her risk of absconding demanded she remain on remand.
But on Thursday, magistrate Kate White said strict home detention was a suitable form of bail.
Anastasia must submit to drug and alcohol testing, wear an electronic bracelet and notify the Department of Corrections if she wants to leave the Aldinga Beach address, even in emergency situations, Ms White said.
“They need to know where you are at all times,” Ms White told Anastasia, who appeared via videolink from prison dressed in a grey sweater.
Ms White said there was some risk of Anastasia absconding, but it was not substantial enough to deny bail.
After Ms White’s decision, the police prosecutor said he would appeal the decision to the South Australian Supreme Court.
There will be 72 hours for the review, which means Anastasia cannot leave jail until 9.45am on Monday morning at the earliest.
Speaking outside the court, Nicholas Vadasz, appearing for Anastasia, said it would be up to a Supreme Court justice as to what happens next.
“Today was a wise and just decision (to grant his client bail) and I hopeful a Supreme Court justice will say the same,” he said.
He said Anastasia was “handling” her time in jail “as best as she can.”
He also reaffirmed his position the case against his client was “weak”.
“The evidence as I see it, is not very strong at all,” he said.
“This is a weak case.”
He said he had not received all the evidence in the case.
He denied Anastasia was a risk for absconding.
“They based that on the fact and only on the fact that her mother is travelling interstate,” he said.
The police have charged Anastasia with murder, arson and destroy human remains to pervert the course of justice.
The identity of her co-accused is suppressed.
Krystall Marshall, 38, leaves behind two children, aged 15 and nine.
