John Warburton death: Sharri Williams charged with accessory to murder
A court has heard a young mum, charged in relation to the alleged bloody murder of a man in a dimly-lit back alley in Sydney’s southwest, is a “vulnerable person”.
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A court has heard a young mum, charged in relation to the alleged bloody murder of a 45-year-old man in a dimly-lit back alley in Sydney’s southwest, is a “vulnerable person”.
Sharri Williams, 29, was arrested in October last year following a four-week investigation into the violent death of John Warburton, who bled to death after he was stabbed in the leg in a laneway in Cartwright.
The 45-year-old victim left a trail of blood as he attempted to crawl back to a nearby home.
On Wednesday, Campbelltown Local Court heard that Williams, charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, allegedly made admissions to police after her acts of assistance were captured on phone intercepts and surveillance devices. She has not yet entered a plea.
The original charge of murder was withdrawn and dismissed.
Her lawyer Mark Rumore, in applying for bail, said the 29-year-old was facing “years of delay” before the courts and that she was “vulnerable” following a history of mental health concerns.
Mr Rumore also suggested Williams, if convicted of the alleged crime, may not even face full-time jail.
“There may well be an alternative to a full-time custodial sentence,” he said. “There may well be a period spent in custody in excess of that ordered by the court.”
Crown prosecutor Jessica Chan said there was no evidence court proceedings would be significantly slowed due to the health crisis, or that Williams was at any greater risk of contracting coronavirus by being in custody.
Magistrate Shane McAnulty, noting the risk of Williams interfering with witnesses and that no surety had been offered, refused bail.
Williams’ partner Eddie Castro, 37, of Lurnea and Peter Daniel Stoeski, 30, of Horningsea Park, have been charged with the murder of Mr Warburton and appeared before the same court on the same day electronically.
None of the accused have yet entered a plea.
All three people will return to Campbelltown Local Court in June.