Rockhampton court hears of delays in Alicia Jane Lee murder case

Although it has been more than two years since two-year-old boy Logan Hawkins died, the alleged murderer’s case is unlikely to be finalised until late this year, at the earliest. Find out why.

Rockhampton Court House.

“Unnecessary” delays and an “unacceptable” and “vague” estimated time for the last outstanding medical report in the alleged murder of a toddler have been revealed in court, two years after the accused was charged.

Alicia Jane Lee was charged with murder after the death of her two-year-old stepson Logan Shaun Hawkins in February, 2022.

Logan died on January 19, 2022, the day after emergency services were called to a Frenchville address and he was rushed to Rockhampton Hospital, and then on to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.

He died from a traumatic brain injury.

Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard an update on the case on February 14.

Defence lawyer Jodie Mair raised concerns about “unnecessary” delays in the case, including the investigating officer only advising Ms Lee’s lawyers on February 14 of the latest on outstanding medical material.

Police prosecutor Brandon Selic said he had done some research since he last spoke with Ms Mair.

“The pathologist report has been finalised,” he said.

However, Mr Selic said the children’s hospital doctor who was the treating physician prior to turning off Logan’s life support “was unable to draft her report in relation to her actions until the pathologist’s report had been finalised”.

“I have been given a vague timeframe (of that being finalised) of the first half of this year,” he said.

Mr Selic conceded this was “unacceptable under the circumstances”.

Ms Mair said once all of the medical material was provided to Ms Lee’s lawyers, they would have to review it and then consider if they will acquire their own independent reports.

Ms Lee, who was not required to attend court this month, is on Supreme Court bail and living in the Brisbane area.

During the bail application on August 12, 2022, Crown prosecutor Aleksandra Nikolic said significant force was required to have resulted in the injuries identified by the doctor.

She said it was alleged Ms Lee was the only adult with Logan at the time the fatal injuries were inflicted.

Ms Lee’s bail conditions include no contact with Crown witnesses and no contact with children under the age of 10 without supervision.

No plea has been entered.