Cases against alleged hit-run driver and alleged would-be murderer discontinued following their deaths

One was an alleged hit-run driver who kept getting behind the wheel, another a husband who allegedly tried to murder his wife for her insurance. Now their cases are over, because they’re dead.

Brian William Ross outside court last year. Picture: AAP/David Mariuz.

• Brian William Ross was an alleged hit-run driver …
• … who was diagnosed with early dementia as his case continued.
• Corbus Kenneth Bruns allegedly tried to kill his second wife …
• … and was unhappily bailed to live with his first wife.

Two high-profile Adelaide court cases have been brought to a premature end — because the defendant, in each of the cases, has died.

Prosecutors have formally discontinued Adelaide Magistrates Court cases against both Brian William Ross and Corbus Kenneth Bruns.

Court records show death certificates have been tendered, certifying each man passed away prior to entering pleas to their respective charges.

Ross, 72, of Unley, was charged with offences including aggravated driving without due care, failing to stop, driving disqualified, impeding an investigation and breaching bail.

Those charges related to an incident on July 18 last year, when his car allegedly struck and injured motorcyclist David Baker on South Tce.

Ross, who had not held a licence since 1987, was banned from driving while on bail but was allegedly caught behind the wheel just nine days later.

Corbus Kenneth Bruns, right, outside court in January. Picture: Sean Fewster.

It was further alleged the SA Police officer who pulled Ross over on that occasion was attacked by his dog.

The court previously heard Ross suffered from numerous ailments and, in February, was diagnosed as suffering from the early stages of dementia.

Bruns, 64, of Stirling, was accused of attempting to murder his second wife in October last year as part of a plan to ease his financial burden by claiming her life insurance policy.

Police alleged he bound and gagged the woman before putting a breathing mask, connected to a helium canister, over her mouth and nose saying “this will only take a minute”.

They further alleged he attempted to suffocate her with a plastic bag, and throttle her with his hands, before she freed herself and escaped.

Bruns last faced court in January, when he asked to change his strict home detention conditions — because they required him to live with his first wife.

The court refused, telling Bruns he was fortunate to have been bailed in the first place.