Update in Lani Joy Hilder Rockhampton house alleged arson case
New details in the case against a woman accused of torching a home she bought at an unpaid rates auction can be revealed as her lawyers prepare to cross examine expert fire and forensic witnesses.
Rockhampton
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Police have made a special request ahead of a hearing where an accused arsonist’s lawyers will cross examine expert witnesses about their evidence next month.
Lani Hilder is charged with one count of arson in relation to the fire, which destroyed the house and Aboriginal artworks at 252 Grubb St in Koongal on August 6, 2022.
She had purchased the home at an unpaid rates auction held by Rockhampton Regional Council in March, 2022, and is also charged with one count of attempted fraud over $100,000.
Her charges are scheduled for a committal hearing on July 29 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court.
The court heard an update on the hearing late Wednesday.
Police prosecutor Clancy Fox asked for expert witnesses Gary Nash, from Forensic Services Australia, and Aaron Sands, a firefighter with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, to be allowed to appear by video link at the committal hearing.
Ms Hilder’s lawyer Mark Williams said it would be preferred if they appeared by video rather than phone in case documents were required to be shown to them during cross examination.
The arresting officer in the case is also to be cross examined at the hearing.
Magistrate Cameron Press granted the request.
It was revealed in Rockhampton District Court in April that Ms Hilder had a co-accused – Mackay man Clyde Kayser Shepheard.
The court heard Mr Shepheard would be contesting his arson and fraud charges which would next be mentioned on September 3.
About five months after Ms Hilder purchased the property, a fire was reported to emergency services at the home on Saturday, August 6 about 7.20pm.
Police allege Ms Hilder “deliberately lit a fire” at the residence.
At time of the fire, neighbours told The Morning Bulletin the house became engulfed very quickly and they had to protect their homes from also going up in flames.
There were piles of burnt rubble on the ground the next day, with the roof partially collapsed and the structure barely standing.
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