Jodie Mackenzie: Taree hospital stabbing death co-accused granted bail after Supreme Court hears of son’s car crash death

One of five people charged after a man was dropped at a Mid-North Coast hospital suffering fatal stab wounds has appeared in court as a “different woman” after the death of her son.

A block of units at Heath Ave in Tuncurry was cordoned off. Picture: Janine Watson

One of five people charged in relation to the death of a man dropped at Manning Base Hospital with fatal stab wounds has made an emotional plea for bail after the death of her son in a car crash.

Jodie Mackenzie wept as her son’s tragic death was revealed in the Supreme Court.

Mackenzie has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.

On November 8, the 50-year-old applied to be released on bail after more than five months remanded in custody following her arrest.

The court heard Mackenzie’s son died in a crash in Queensland while she had been remanded in custody.

Jodie Mackenzie.

Mackenzie hoped to be released on bail to “bring him home” to Gloucester to be buried alongside family if it was not “too late”.

Alternatively, the court heard she would organise for his ashes to be returned to the small town about 70km southwest of Taree at the base of the Barrington Tops.

It’s alleged she assisted Matthew Ronald Bennis, who is facing a murder charge after Colin Glass was dropped at the Mid-North Coast hospital with shocking wounds allegedly inflicted at a Tuncurry unit block on the morning of April 23.

Glass, who was 38 at the time, died before he made it inside the emergency ward.

Colin Glass was dropped at Taree hospital with fatal stab wounds on April 23.

On November 6, Taree Local Court was told a “blood splatter” report was one of several outstanding reports, leading to delays in the case.

Judge Julia Lonergan said Mackenzie faced the court as a “different woman” when compared to her arrest photos.

She said Mackenzie’s time in custody provided “access to activities other than using”, which were positive.

Justice Lonergan told the court “to be completely blunt” the case against Mackenzie was “not a strong case at all”.

She said as it stood it seemed Mackenzie knew Bennis suffered an injury and she had a “strong basis for believing” it was sustained in self defence.

Justice Lonergan said charges against Mackenzie may be amended as the case progresses.

She granted bail with the conditions Mackenzie abides by a curfew and lives with her father in a small rural area near Taree – “away from criminal connections in Forster”.

Justice Lonergan wished Mackenzie “good luck”.

Police at a unit block on Heath Ave, Tuncurry in April. Picture: Janine Watson

Three more women have also been charged in relation to Mr Glass’s death, including 25-year-old Kaia Lynn Ridgeway.

She was arrested about the same time as Bennis and charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.

As police investigations continued, 50-year-old Sheree Cross was arrested and charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and accessory after the fact to malicious wounding.

The latest to be arrested was Lauren Kaye Brown, who has been charged with concealing a serious indictable offence.

No formal pleas have been entered.

Cases have all been adjourned to December 11.