Mobile phone data could hold key to whether SA man Nathan Russell’s death was murder or manslaughter, court told

Did Nathan Russell die as a result of manslaughter or a targeted, vicious murder? An Adelaide court has heard a mobile phone may hold the answer.

A locked mobile phone may hold the key to whether the death of Adelaide man Nathan Russell was murder or manslaughter, a court has heard.

In a joint application on Monday, prosecutors and defence counsel asked the Adelaide Magistrates Court to delay the case of Dylan John Kovarskis.

He has previously admitted killing Mr Russell earlier this year, but denies the incident was murder.

Magistrate John Wells told counsel he was reluctant to further postpone the case “without a reason”, but prosecutor Tracey Nelson said it was “crucial” police had more time.

“We are awaiting critical e-crime evidence that could determine this matter, and whether it is manslaughter or murder,” she said.

“That material comes from a mobile telephone that could not previously be accessed … Mr Korvarskis has now disclosed its PIN, and inquiries can occur.

“The correspondence I have read (from investigators) suggests the information on that phone may be relevant to the question of Mr Kovarskis’ intent at the time of the incident.”

Nathan Russell was killed in a vicious, targeted attack on Sturt St, police have alleged. Picture: SA Police.

Mr Kovarskis, 24, was arrested in January and accused of killing Mr Russell in his apartment on Sturt St, in the city.

Police have alleged one of Mr Russell’s friends discovered his body, and that he had been “targeted” at his address and “subjected to a vicious attack”.

In August, Mr Kovarskis told the court he wanted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, but that was not accepted by prosecutors.

On Monday, counsel for Mr Kovarskis said they supported a further adjournment because the data on the phone “could give rise to considerations” about the case.

When pressed for details by Mr Wells, they said their client had “not instructed” them “to descend into that level of detail”.

Mr Wells remanded Mr Kovarskis in custody to face court again in January.