Murder charge against Jacinta Davila dropped over Dr Michael Yung death, now charged with assisting an offender

There’s been a dramatic change in the case against two people charged over the alleged murder of Dr Michael Yung – meaning one will be released immediately on bail.

A young mother no longer stands accused of murdering renowned doctor Michael Yung and will be immediately released on home detention bail to live with her 8-month-old child.

On Friday, Jacinta Davila wept over video link as the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard prosecutors were no longer pursuing allegations she participated in Dr Yung’s alleged home invasion murder.

The Advertiser can reveal that Ms Davila has been re-charged, in fresh court documents, with the offence of assisting an offender – a lesser offence, but one that still carries a significant penalty under law.

It can also reveal Ms Davila’s original alleged link to the incident came from a DNA hit on a water bottle.

It can further reveal that subsequent analysis of CCTV footage excluded Ms Davila from being present at the scene of the alleged crime.

Kerem Aydin and Jacinta Davila have each been charged over the death of Michael Yung. Picture: Facebook

Under the terms of her bail, Ms Davila is banned from all contact with her co-accused – Kerem Aydin, the father of her child.

Mr Aydin, 22, has yet to plead to one count of murder and aggravated serious criminal trespass in a place of residence.

Prosecutors had previously alleged the couple broke into Dr Yung’s home at Gilberton, via a ladder through an upstairs window, with the intention of stealing property.

A family friend of Jacinta Davila, pictured with a cast on her left arm, outside Mary Davila’s Mile End home on Friday. Picture: Ben Clark

They further alleged the couple encountered Dr Yung and, after a scream and a loud noise was heard, he was found with critical head and spinal injuries from which he later died.

It was further alleged they were arrested after they shoplifted medical supplies from shops at Torrensville to treat wounds he sustained in the incident.

Last week, counsel for Ms Davila said her client and Mr Aydin had an “on-off, co-parenting” relationship of their eight-month-old child, conceived from “a one-night stand”.

A family friend outside the home of Jacinta Davila’s mum in Mile End home on Friday. Picture: Ben Clark

They argued prosecutors would be unable to prove Ms Davila was at Dr Yung’s home, saying DNA linking her to the scene could be the result of “secondary transference”.

Ms Davila is expected to be released from the Adelaide Women’s Prison on Friday afternoon and return to her mum’s Mile End house.

A family friend was spotted on Friday outside the house preparing for Ms Davila’s return.

Just before 1pm, a woman was seen crossing the road from a neighbour’s house. She was sporting a plaster cast over her left forearm, and was carrying a green grocery bag over her shoulder. The woman immediately went into her house via the side gate.

About an hour later, she left through the side gate and made her way to her car.

Another resident of the Mile End house, presumed to be Jacinta’s brother, also drove away from the home in his Mustang GT.

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