Confusion reigns as alleged double-parent murderer Raelene Polymiadis details remain secret
Confusion reigned in court after the daughter of Brenda and Lynton Anderson – who is charged with their murders – made her second appearance.
Police & Courts
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Secrecy surrounding the alleged poisoning murders of Brenda and Lynton Anderson - including the purported motive - will continue until at least Tuesday following courtroom confusion over orders banning publication of details in the case.
At 4pm on Thursday, the Adelaide Magistrate Court convened to hear legal argument sparked by a 24-hour publication ban on the case of Raelene Polymiadis.
That order was put in place, on Wednesday afternoon, by Magistrate Kym Millard to allow Ms Polymiadis’ counsel to seek legal advice from a senior barrister.
On Thursday, lawyer Joseph Henderson told Mr Millard he had, 30 minutes prior to the hearing, filed a Supreme Court appeal against the refusal to give his client a suppression order.
Mr Millard, however, noted he made no final decision about the order and therefore there was nothing to appeal.
Mr Henderson’s filing, he said, left him no choice but to continue the suppression order until next Tuesday when either the Supreme Court would hear the appeal or the order would automatically lapse.
Mrs Polymiadis, 62, of Craigmore, has yet to plead to two counts of murder over the deaths of Mrs Anderson on March 15, 2022, and Mr Anderson on April 30 this year.
On Wednesday, prosecutor Michael Foundas alleged she twice administered insulin to Mrs Anderson, who was not diabetic, resulting in her death.
He also alleged she did the same to Mr Anderson – who was also not diabetic – a year later.
He further alleged she “scattered” anti-anxiety medication near his unresponsive body in “an attempt to make this look like a suicide”.
On Thursday, Mr Henderson conceded his appeal bid “may have been ultra vires” – a legal term meaning beyond the court’s power – given what Mr Millard had said.
Mr Millard said he had reflected overnight on the suppressed evidence and had concerns about its publication.
The Advertiser cannot report those concerns as they would breach the term of the order.
Mr Millard said he was also surprised prosecutors had taken no position on the suppression order, especially on the matters about which he was concerned.
A prosecutor told Mr Millard that “the position had changed overnight” and he would “be making very different submissions” if asked to argue the suppression order.
Mr Millard said that could not happen because of the potential Supreme Court appeal, and remanded Ms Polymiadis in custody until Tuesday.
He said his order would expire at 5pm that day if not continued by another magistrate or the Supreme Court.
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