Zachary Mills’ charge downgraded to manslaughter over Christine Mills’ death
A man accused of killing his own mother at a Mid-North Coast holiday park has had a murder charge withdrawn and replaced with manslaughter. Here’s the latest.
A man accused of killing his own mother at a Mid-North Coast holiday park has had a murder charge withdrawn and replaced with manslaughter.
Zachary Mills, 30, appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday from Silverwater Corrections where court documents revealed prosecutors withdrew the more serious murder charge against him.
The documents showed prosecutors certified the lesser charge of manslaughter and dropped an allegation of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
No explanation was provided in court for the downgrade from murder to manslaughter.
Police will allege Mills was subject to an interim apprehended domestic violence order for his mother’s protection when Christine Mills, 58, was found with facial injuries at the Big 4 Park Beach Holiday Park in Coffs Harbour on October 2.
Emergency services were called to the park about 5.25pm in response to a concern for welfare.
She was rushed to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital for treatment but died from her injuries five days later.
Mills was arrested in Queensland after a days-long search by police.
In Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday Mills faced two charges: contravene an apprehended violence order and the fresh charge of manslaughter.
He has made no application for bail and it is formally refused by the court.
Pleas are yet to be entered.
Mills returns to Coffs Harbour Local Court on January 27 next year.
Got a news tip? Email: Toni.moon@news.com.au
More Coverage
Originally published as Zachary Mills’ charge downgraded to manslaughter over Christine Mills’ death
