Hackham West: Robert Joseph Patard and Jessica Elizabeth Gianoni face court over playground bashing murder of Shaun Russell
After a three-day manhunt, a couple accused of killing Shaun Russell in a western suburbs playground have faced court – while documents have revealed the alleged murder weapon.
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Shaun Russell was allegedly beaten to death with a wooden stake by a couple who multiple witnesses – including police – saw having a “heated” argument before the crime, according to court papers.
Documents sighted by The Advertiser reveal police spoke to Robert Joseph Patard and Jessica Elizabeth Gianoni, and filmed them on body camera, hours before the alleged murder.
The papers allege that, sometime between 1.30pm and 3.20pm on Saturday, the couple inflicted blunt force trauma upon Mr Russell and left him to die from severe head injuries.
It is further alleged that DNA samples taken from the bloodstained stake link both Patard and Gianoni to the alleged murder, prompting their arrest on Tuesday after a three-day manhunt.
Patard, 42, and Gianoni, 34, faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday – each has yet to plead to one count of murder, and neither applied for bail.
In their court documents, police allege the events leading up to Mr Russell’s death began in the Corinth Rd Playground Reserve about 11.30am on Saturday.
“Patard and Gianoni were seen by a number of witnesses arguing in different locations (and) police were called and spoke to (them),” the papers allege.
“At the time, police Body Worn Video captured both and the clothing that they wore at that time … no offences were disclosed, so they left police.”
The documents allege the pair were seen again, by witnesses, at 1.30pm “having a heated discussion” at “the location where the victim was later found deceased”.
“These witnesses describe the location as having numerous newly-planted trees which were supported by two tree-planting stakes for each new tree,” they allege.
“About 3.20pm (the witnesses) found the deceased laying in the location where they had seen Patard and Gianoni having a heated discussion.
“They noticed a tree-planting stake was missing from a tree planted near where the heated discussion was taking place.”
The papers allege police and ambulance officers were called, arriving to find Mr Russell having “suffered severe head injuries” – he died at the scene.
“A post mortem (examination) indicates the cause of death is likely to be blunt force trauma to the head,” they allege.
“Police located a bloodstained tree-planting stake approximately 200m north of the deceased’s location.
“An examination of this stake confirms the blood belongs to the deceased and further examination shows DNA belonging to Patard and Gianoni as contributors.”
The documents say police believe Mr Russell was walking home through the reserve after visiting friends and “had contact” with the couple “which resulted in him being assaulted”.
It outlines police attempts to speak with Patard and Gianoni, who “refused to answer or reply to messages”, and arrest them for murder.
It further discloses allegations a car known to be “used by” the couple was “involved in the theft of fuel” from a service station at Port Broughton on Sunday.
On Wednesday, police asked the court to adjourn the case for nine months to allow for further forensic testing a~nd “significant” DNA and electronic device analysis.
Stephen Ey, for Patard, said that was too long a delay.
“It would be helpful if defence was given that material as it arrived at the prosecution, but that doesn’t happen, which prejudices defence in preparation of the matter,” he said.
“If the court sets an earlier date, that gives people a time to work for, otherwise it’s a licence for laziness.”
Craig Caldicott, for Gianoni, agreed.
“I can indicate my client intends to plead not guilty,” he said.
However, Magistrate Terry Forrest said courts “relied on police to act in good faith” and seek adjournments that considered “all issues of fairness”.
“With regard to a ‘licence for laziness’, the court is in no position whatsoever to make any determination about the accuracy of that assertion,” he said.
He remanded Patard and Gianoni in custody until July next year.
THE ALLEGED TIMELINE
Saturday, September 28, 2019
1 1.30am - 1.30pm: Witnesses report a couple, allegedly Patard and Gianoni, “arguing in different locations” around Honeypot Rd and Corinth Rd at Hackham West. Officers wearing bodycams speak to and record the couple but “no offences were disclosedat that time” and they walked away toward Corinth Rd.
3.20pm: Witnesses find Mr Russell, suffering from severe head injuries, in the park.
3.30pm: Police and ambulance services are called to the scene. Witnesses say they have noticed a planting stake is missing from a tree near where the couple’s “heated discussion was taking place”. Police find a bloodstained stake 200m away.
Sunday, October 29:
11.30am: A vehicle allegedly used by Patard and Gianoni is involved in the alleged theft of petrol from a service station at Port Broughton.
Throughout the day: Police attend various southern suburbs addresses “with the intention of arresting the pair for murder” but “were unable to locate them”. They attempt to contact them by phone, with the assistance of family members, but the couple “refused to answer or reply to messages”.
Monday, October 30:
7pm: Major Crime detectives and STAR Group officers raid a property at Waterloo Corner and arrest Patard and Gianoni.