Jessica Blinda Polsoni arrested after sovereign citizen outburst, bail revoked

A Queensland mother accused of killing her two-year-old daughter attempted to spell her way out of legal trouble after she was arrested for a bizarre outburst. UPDATED.

A day after a Mackay mother’s bizarre outburst led to her arrest, she faced the same magistrate from the watchhouse and attempted to spell her way out of legal trouble.

Jessica Blinda Polsoni was marched from Mackay courthouse in handcuffs on Monday, June 24, after appearing in court for the murder of her daughter Diana Hanbury in December 2022, and faced an additional charge of attempting to or contacting a Crown witness on Tuesday.

Her partner Adam Hanbury is also facing a murder charge, which comes under the expanded definition that include reckless indifference.

Police alleged the pair neglected to get Diana, the youngest of six children, appropriate medical attention in the lead up to her death.

On Tuesday, Ms Polsoni was initially listed in Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan’s court where duty lawyer Laura Santin said the defendant was “refusing” to speak to her because “she’s a sovereign citizen”.

As Ms Hartigan knew Magistrate Damien Dwyer had dealt with Ms Polsoni the day before, the matter was moved to his court where Ms Polsoni appeared self-represented.

Jessica Blinda Polsoni, who is charged with murder over the death of her 14-month-old daughter Diana Hanbury in 2022, has been rearrested and her bail has been revoked. Picture: Zoe Devenport

Ms Polsoni, dressed in a grey sweatshirt with her hair tied back, was silent as Mr Dwyer read out how she breached her bail with yesterday’s failure to properly appear and by attempting to or contacting a Crown witness.

“On June 24 2024, in Mackay ... you broke the condition undertaken on May 8 (that) you must not communicate or attempt to contact either directly or indirectly any Crown witness,” Mr Dwyer said.

When asked if she expected to hire another lawyer , Ms Polsoni said her name “is not Polsoni, my name is capital J, E, S, S” before being cut off by Mr Dwyer.
It is understood that Ms Polsoni took issue with court documents listing her name in capitals as “POLSONI”, which is common practice.

So-called ‘sovereign citizens’ are known to attempt to separate themselves from their legal name in an attempt to exempt themselves from laws they disagree with.

Four supporters returned to court on Tuesday to hear Ms Polsoni’s mention, including Worldwide Rally for Freedom Mackay associates Rhonda Marriage and Christine ‘Tine’ McDonald.

Ms Polsoni’s had her matters adjourned for committal mention on August 7, where they will marry up with Mr Hanbury’s.

No application for bail was made and Ms Polsoni was remanded in custody.

MONDAY: ‘I’m invoking international law’: Mum accused of killing girl, 2, in court drama

A magistrate has revoked bail for a Mackay mother accused of killing her two-year-old daughter, ordering her arrest following a heated clash in court.

Ms Polsoni told the court on Monday she was “exercising my right to self determination” after solicitor Adam Harvey sought and was granted leave to remove himself from the case. He submitted he no longer had permission to act as her legal representative.

Jessica Hanbury, nee Polsoni, leaving Mackay Courthouse with her then lawyer Adam Harvey on May 13, 2024. She and husband Adam Hanbury are both charged with one count of murder over the death of their daughter Diana Hanbury in 2022.

When Magistrate Damien Dwyer asked what Ms Polsoni meant she began spelling her name in full as “Jessica Blinda Hanbury”, following which prosecutor Sheena Gravino said Jessica Blinda Polsoni was on supreme court bail.

“I would call for Ms Polsoni to present to the courthouse, if she is not present I would ask for that bail to forfeit,” Ms Gravino said, adding there was also a fresh charge of breaching bail against her.

Mr Dwyer said he had a supreme court bail document in the name of Jessica Blinda Polsoni, “Is that you? Yes or no.”

Ms Polsoni began repeating the same spelling of her name, and said, “I have the right to exercise my right to self determination”.

“You’re excused, I don’t accept that you’re Ms Polsoni, I’ll issue a warrant for (her) arrest,” Mr Dwyer said, revoking the supreme court bail.

“I am invoking international law,” Ms Polsoni told the court.

Jessica Blinda Polsoni, who is charged with murder over the death of her 14-month-old daughter Diana Hanbury in 2022, has been rearrested and her bail has been revoked. Picture: Zoe Devenport

“Unless you tell me that you’re Jessica Blinda Polsoni, I’ll issue that warrant and you’ll be arrested when you go outside,” Mr Dwyer said.

“And because I have invoked international law …” she said, but Mr Dwyer cut her off say, “I’ve finished with your matter, I have no interest in you Ms Polsoni, and because she’s not here … get the security please.”

Ms Polsoni continued to try and speak including commenting about “freedom and justice” but Mr Dwyer ordered for the court to be cleared.

As she left Ms Polsoni turned and smiled at a group of supporters – that included manslaughter accused Peter Thomas McDougall and Whitsunday business woman Heidi Ward.

Ms Polsoni then sat with the group as Ms Gravino called for additional police.

Four officers and two detectives waited outside the courthouse for about two hours.

Jessica and Adam Hanbury were first taken into custody on Wednesday 7 February 2024

It is understood officers and courthouse security considered what to do should Ms Polsoni’s supporters attempt to form a blockade.

About 12.30pm, police were led inside by Ms Gravino to arrest Ms Polsoni, who was trailed to the watch-house by her supporters.

During the mention Mr Dwyer also questioned Jaimee-Lee Jessop, the legal representation for Mr Hanbury, on why court directions in relation to his case had not been followed given the full brief of evidence had been disclosed early April 2024.

Mr Hanbury has been bailed to reside in South Australia.

Ms Jessop, who appeared by phone, said the firm had been acting on a pro bono basis while funding was sorted and also assisting Mr Hanbury in making his supreme court bail application.

“We have tried to get on top of an otherwise large brief as quickly as possible, as efficiently as possible,” Ms Jessop said.

“If you think I’m going to sit here for two and a half months waiting for counsel to have a look at the brief you have another thing coming,” Mr Dwyer said.

The matter was adjourned to a later date. It is understood Ms Polsoni’s bail must go back before the supreme court.