Top silk Jane Abbey KC will represented Kerem Aydin, who is accused of murdering SA pediatrician Dr Michael Yung
The man accused of murdering Dr Michael Yung will be defended by one of the state’s best legal minds, who has a string of high-profile acquittals to her name.
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The man accused of murdering pediatrician Michael Yung will be represented in court by one of the state’s top legal minds – who is also defending Charlie Stevens’ alleged killer.
The Advertiser can report barrister Jane Abbey KC has provided advice to Kerem Aydin and will represent him when he enters his pleas in September.
Ms Abbey is a Flinders University graduate who began practising in 2001, specialising in criminal law and disciplinary matters.
Her defence of Thomas Nichols – one of four men accused of murdering drug dealer Victor Codea – saw him acquitted of that charge, and found guilty instead of manslaughter.
She also secured the acquittal of a top SA cheerleading coach who was accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls.
Ms Abbey successfully defended the University of Adelaide against a $1 million sexual harassment lawsuit claim by academic Dr Giang Thu Nguyen.
Among her current clients is Dhirren Randhawa, who has yet to plead to charges he caused the death of Charlie Stevens by dangerous driving during schoolies last year.
Mr Aydin, 23, has yet to plead to one count of murder and aggravated serious criminal trespass in a place of residence.
His co-accused, Jacinta Davila, 28, has yet to plead to assisting an offender.
Previously, prosecutors had alleged the couple broke into Dr Yung’s home at Gilberton, via a ladder through an upstairs window, with the intention of stealing property.
They had 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.
In December, prosecutors dropped the murder charge against Ms Davila, who was granted bail in order to care for the “on-off” couple’s eight-month-old child.
In March, the court heard Ms Davila was still waiting on legal aid funding – she was not present in court on Monday, and was not required to be at the hearing.
On Monday, Ben Thilthorpe, for Mr Aydin, said his client would be ready to enter his pleas to the charges in September.
“Mr Aydin has now had the benefit of receiving advice from senior counsel, and all we need to do today is confirm the date to answer the charge,” he said.
Magistrate Simon Smart remanded Mr Aydin in custody to face court again, alongside Ms Davila, in September.
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