Peter Scammell granted bail after extradition to Darwin for the alleged overdose murder of partner Katrina Hawker
Five years after a Territory nurse died with a cocktail of alcohol and sleeping pills in her system, her partner of 20 years has fronted court charged with her murder. Read the latest here.
A man been granted bail over the alleged murder of his partner five years after she was found dead with a cocktail of alcohol and sleeping pills in her system.
Royal Darwin Hospital nurse Katrina Sheridan Hawker was found in the backyard of a Bakewell home in the Palmerston region in September 2020, with her death classified as an overdose.
However a coronial inquest into the 43-year-old woman’s death 18 months ago warned an offence may have been committed.
Five years after her death, her partner of two decades Peter Scammell was charged with her murder and extradited from Victoria on Wednesday.
Still wearing the same flannel shirt he was extradited in, Mr Scammell appeared before Darwin Local Court judge Sally Ozolins on Thursday.
Defence lawyer Richard Bryson pushed for the 44-year-old to be released on bail, citing the “unusual circumstances” of the case.
Mr Bryson acknowledged the “tragic circumstances” of Ms Hawkers death, and the impact it had on her “ family and extended community”.
“Mr Scammell himself has been traumatised by what has happened,” Mr Bryson said.
“He has done nothing more than attempt to get on with his life in tragic circumstances after the incident in question.”
Mr Bryson said his client was arrested by police in Victoria while visiting his parents as part of a drive around the country with his new partner.
He emphasised Mr Scammell was not a “flight risk”, had no relevant criminal history, and critically could not interfere with the investigation which concluded years ago.
“Since the incident occured, Mr Scammell has done nothing but actively engage in both the initial police investigation and actively take part in the coronial inquiry... and answered rigorous cross examination.
“He’s had every opportunity to run away, he knew about the referral (to police and prosecutions) 18-months ago and he hasn’t gone away.
“Everything he has done since this incident occurred is to turn up, front up, give an account of himself and actively participate.”
He said some might say he actively took part “to his own detriment” in the coronial.
Mr Bryson said no further evidence had been established for the “weak circumstantial case” since the closure of the inquest 18-months earlier.
“On the material that has been disclosed by the prosecution, not one thing has changed since the referral was made some 18 months ago,” he said.
“And all of a sudden the crown has laid a charge... some five years later.”
Mr Bryson said given the status of the courts, it would be likely 18 months before Mr Scammell’s case would be addressed.
Prosecutor Nicole Hopper said the main concerns was the risk of Mr Scammell fleeing the law, but said that could be addressed through an electronic monitoring device, surrendering his passport, and a ban on leaving the Territory or approaching international departure points.
Mr Bryson said Mr Scammell had lived his whole life in the Territory, with very strong ties to the region.
“In a very true sense of the word, he is a Territorian,” he said.
Mr Bryson also highlighted Mr Scammell had no criminal history, apart from a 2021 drink driving and 2000 speeding offence.
The local court judge said in all the circumstances she believed Mr Scammell was not a flight risk, particularly as “he has seen this coming”.
Ms Ozolins briefly adjourned the matter to allow for an ankle monitor assessment, before granting him bail.
He was released on the condition that he pay a $2000 bail bond, wear an electronic monitoring device, surrender his passport, not approach international departure points, remain in the Territory, and regularly check in with Darwin police.
His matter was adjourned to February 4 for a preliminary examination mention.
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Originally published as Peter Scammell granted bail after extradition to Darwin for the alleged overdose murder of partner Katrina Hawker
