Tiana Savignano sentenced for filming partner in court after fatal Heckenberg crash

A woman who filmed her smiling boyfriend in court as he applied for bail following a horror crash which claimed two lives in Sydney’s southwest has learned her fate for the “stupid decision”.

Tiana Savignano at a previous court appearance. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The girlfriend of a man charged with killing a young brother and sister in a horror car crash at Heckenberg has been sentenced for filming him in court.

Tiana Savignano, 22, pleaded guilty to filming her partner Johnson Kokozian, 20, who is also the father of her child, during his bail application at Parramatta Bail Court in September when he smiled while raising two fingers at her.

Police allege Kokozian was driving a luxury SUV when it collided head-on with a car, killing Alina Kauffman, 24, and her teen brother Ernesto Salazar, 15, on September 1.

Savignano was arrested outside Liverpool Local Court three days after her boyfriend’s bail application and charged with using a recording device in court premises.

The use of photography or the recording of audio or video material inside courtrooms – and anywhere in the building – is strictly prohibited in NSW.

Tiana Savignano was sentenced for filming her boyfriend in court. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

Police facts tendered to the court reveal Savignano recorded sound and images on her phone during her partner’s bail application, which was ultimately refused.

At Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday, Savignano’s Legal Aid solicitor Mark Rosalky said she did not share the footage on social media before police discovered it but it was an offence of “breathtaking stupidity’’.

“Breathtaking was my word but in the words of Tiana, she wasn’t thinking on the day and it was a stupid decision,’’ he said.

“It was a highly emotive time given the nature of the relationship. There had been a lot of tension in relation to this matter.’’

Magistrate Laurie Robertston refuted Mr Rosalky’s description of the young mother having an unremarkable criminal record, with her saying she was at a crossroads in her life.

The court heard Savignano had depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress diagnoses.

“What is encouraging is she has a mental health care plan, she’s seeing a psychologist,’’ Mr Rosalky said.

“She’s taking the steps so if she finds herself in emotive situations she makes better decisions.’’

Savignano filmed Johnson Kokozian. Picture: Facebook

The offence carries a maximum potential penalty of 12 months’ jail.

Ms Robertson said the matter went to the heart of the administration of justice in the community.

She convicted Savignano and sentenced her to a 12-month community correction order with a $3500 fine.

Her early guilty plea allowed her a 25 per cent discount.

Savignano faces separate charges over allegations she also concealed a serious indictable offence and hindered police in their investigation into the crash.

Alina Kauffman.

Ernesto Salazar.

Her partner’s matter remains before the courts.

Kokozian was arrested at Liverpool police station about 18 hours after the fatality and allegedly told police he was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash.

He was charged with two counts of aggravated dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death, and negligent driving causing death.

He also faces allegations he failed to stop and assist after the crash and had exceeded the speed limit by more than 45km/h while also disqualified from driving at the time.

The young dad’s father, Kagadour, and his friend Cruz Pamoana Davis-Tuka have also been charged with concealing a serious indictable offence and hindering a police investigation into a serious indictable offence.

Kagadour Kokozian later appeared before Liverpool Court over allegations he helped conceal an indictable offence and hindered the police investigation.