Jessica Wright sentenced after being accessory to manslaughter over shooting death of Wes Prentice at Cooks Hill

Loyal and scared for her safety, a woman pregnant with her killer boyfriend’s child lied to police to prevent his arrest after he fatally shot a man inside his Newcastle unit over an unpaid debt.

Paramedics leave the unit block at Cooks Hill where Wes Prentice was killed. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Carrying his child and scared for her life, a court has heard a woman lied about the whereabouts of her killer boyfriend who was on the run from police after he shot a man dead inside his Newcastle unit over an unpaid debt.

Jessica Clare Wright, 38, had been in a relationship with Michael Thomas Rae for just three months when he fatally shot Wes Prentice once in the chest at the 40-year-old’s Cooks Hill unit on July 22, 2021 during a heated argument.

The court heard at the time, Wright was on the balcony of the Darby street apartment complex when she heard the pair arguing and the gun shot ring out.

The 38-year-old went to investigate and saw Mr Prentice lying on floor with blood coming from his mouth.

Over the next nine days, the court heard she would assist Rae in helping to escape and avoid the detection of police.

Strike Force Hibbard detectives arrest Jessica Wright with accessory after the fact to manslaughter over the shooting death of Wes Prentice

Police enter the block of units at Cooks Hill on July 22, 2021. Picture by Peter Lorimer

The court heard Wright booked and paid for accommodation at a holiday camp in Nambucca Heads, and also a caravan park at Bonny Hills for herself and Rae.

She even borrowed a vehicle from her cousin to assist Rae in driving to and from Newcastle without being detected.

But on August 1, police caught up with Wright at the Lake Cathie shops and questioned her about Rae’s whereabouts before he was dramatically arrested near a children’s playground.

Rae had initially been charged with murder but later pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 40-year-old after prosecutors withdrew the murder charge.

Wright was smoking on the balcony of this unit complex in Darby street when she heard a gun shot, which killed Wes Prentice. Picture by Peter Lorimer

He was sentenced to a maximum of nine years in jail, with a non-parole period of five-and-a-half years.

Wright pleaded guilty to a charge of being an accessory after the fact to manslaughter.

In Newcastle District Court on Friday, Crown solicitor David Hoitink questioned Wright on whether she was still supportive of Rae.

“Still in a relationship?” Mr Hoitink asked.

“Haven’t said we aren’t, haven’t said we are,” Wright replied.

“When he does get released, do you intend to continue the relationship?” he asked.

“I have a daughter with him. It’s a long time away, all I know I’ll be establishing a relationship for my daughter with her father,” she replied.

Mr Hoitink pressed Wright on her unwillingness to divulge information to police for over an hour and trying to “stall” Rae’s arrest.

The crime scene in July, 2021 in Darby street. Picture by Peter Lorimer

Wright told the court she had fears for her son’s safety as he was with Rae at the time, and it was only when she was assured he would be safe did she give up his location, despite police already having “figured it out”.

But defence barrister Antony Evers said it was a “complex situation” where her partner was involved in a homicide and she was in “shock”.

He told the court there was not a lot of thought involved, her actions “spontaneous” and “reactive”.

Mr Evers said in the circumstances, Wright was torn by loyalty and the safety of herself and her children, thinking they may have been in danger after the shooting and Rae could protect her.

The court heard she also found out the night before Rae’s arrest she was pregnant with his child.

Judge Peter McGrath admitted Wright was caught between a “rock in a hard place” in her loyalty to Rae and feelings of fear, and her resistance to police didn’t hold up their investigation “incredibly”.

He cited a reduction in moral culpability given “extremely onerous” bail conditions and her compliance, but warranted a sentence of imprisonment was appropriate given the offending happened over a number of days as she assisted Rae in avoiding apprehension.

He imposed a 15 month jail term to be served by way of intensive corrections order (ICO), which is sentence served in the community, with conditions to seek psychological treatment.