Jacinta Davila granted home detention, murder charge to be dropped in Dr Michael Yung case

A mother will be able to spend Christmas with her eight-month-old baby after her charge of murdering a beloved doctor was dropped.

A mum accused of helping her partner after he allegedly murdered a beloved doctor will spend Christmas at home with their eight-month-old baby after her murder charge was dropped and she was granted home detention bail on Friday.

Jacinta Davila, 27, appeared at Adelaide Magistrates Court via videolink from the women’s prison, where she has been held since she and her partner Kerem Aydin, 22, were arrested and charged with the shocking alleged murder of Dr Michael Yung on December 11.

The couple were both initially accused of murdering Dr Yung at his home in Gilberton but the murder charge against Ms Davila was dropped.

Prosecutors have downgraded her charge to assisting an offender.

NCA NewsWire has confirmed the prosecution intends to drop the murder charge for Ms Davila only.

Magistrate Michael Jandy granted Ms Davila the freedom to be with her baby at an inner-city address while the case against her progresses.

Ms Davila wept and breathed out heavily when she heard she was going home.

Alleged Dr Yung murderer Kerem Aydin (right) stands with Jacinta Davila (centre), who is charged with assisting an offender. Picture: Facebook

“Thank you so much,” she said.

The court ordered an electronic monitoring bracelet to be fitted to Ms Davila and she is not permitted to leave her address with the express permission of a corrections officer.

She is also banned from all contact with Mr Aydin, the father of the child.

Police earlier alleged the couple broke into Dr Yung’s home and the doctor suffered critical head and spinal injuries in his encounter with the pair.

The widely respected pediatrician and intensive care specialist died from his injuries on December 12 and the police arrested Mr Aydin and Ms Davila that same day at a shopping centre.

Dr Yung lived in a secure $2m property at Gilberton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

CCTV footage shows the couple calmly walking out the door of the shopping centre moments before police appear and tackle Aydin from behind.

Davila, who can be seen pushing a pram, appears to attempt to make a run for it before she is stopped by heavily armed STAR Group officers.

Mr Aydin has not applied for bail and remains in custody on remand.

Dr Yung’s family issued a statement on December 13 afternoon saying they were “absolutely devastated” over the death of the loving father, son, and brother.

“His death has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled,” the statement said.

They also extended their “deep gratitude” to the first responders who worked tirelessly to save Dr Yung’s life and have supported them in the wake of his death.

Dr Michael Yung, one of South Australia’s most eminent doctors, died after he was allegedly attacked during a home invasion. Picture: SA Health

Dr Yung established a pediatric ICU in Kilifi, Kenya, and also worked in remote Indigenous communities across Australia.

“He was a wise and patient teacher and mentor to generations of aspiring ICU doctors,” the family said.

“He was loved and respected by his colleagues, staff and students and all those who were privileged to know and work with him.”

In 2020, he established the Kathryn Browne-Yung Foundation charity in the name of his late wife who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly three years ago.

The Foundation supports scholarships for Indigenous medical students and his family have invited people who would like to honour his memory to do so by donating to the foundation.

In a statement, South Australia Police said detectives were no longer seeking any other suspects for the alleged crime.

“There has been no connection identified between the arrested people and those being sought for a recent crime spree across Adelaide,” police said.

Originally published as Jacinta Davila granted home detention, murder charge to be dropped in Dr Michael Yung case