QUT student accused of murdering step-uncle at Bowen Hills wins bail

A murder-accused QUT business student stabbed his own step-uncle after the man made sexual advances towards his mother, a court has heard during his successful bail application.

A murder-accused QUT business student stabbed his own step-uncle after the man made sexual advances towards his mother, a court has heard during his successful bail application.

Jonah Francois Charpentier, 22, intends to return to his studies at QUT after he was granted bail in Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday morning.

Charpentier was charged with murder after he stabbed his mother’s stepbrother Dylan James Coote, 39, in the early hours of morning on April 6.

Jonah Francois Charpentier, 22, has been granted bail. Photo: Supplied. ,

The court heard how the family had been out for dinner and drinking on the night of April 5, and that everyone was “happy” at that point in the night.

Justice Peter Davis said it was alleged there had later been “animosity” caused by Mr Coote making “some sort of sexual advance” towards Mrs Charpentier in a taxi ride.

Charpentier then stabbed Mr Coote in the abdomen at his mother’s Bowen Hills apartment, with the court hearing how witnesses overheard Mr Coote “yelling” in the hallway.

Defence barrister Ruth O’Gorman (right) speaking with supporters of Jonah Francois Charpentier outside Brisbane Supreme Court. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

The court heard there would be no dispute Charpentier had stabbed Mr Coote, but defence barrister Ruth O’Gorman argued there would be multiple defences open to him including provocation and self-defence.

She said, on her client’s account, there had also been some earlier incident involving Mr Coote at a bar.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Guppy-Coles said the questions for the jury to consider would be the lawfulness of the killing and the intent.

She said the availability of the defences suggested by Ms O’Gorman might not be “as clear cut” as it may seem.

Ms Guppy-Coles raised concerns with the flight risks generally associated with murder cases, due to the mandatory life sentence upon conviction.

She submitted that if Charpentier were granted bail, he should be subject to an electronic ankle monitor condition.

Ms O’Gorman said her client had no criminal history, no passport, and had limited capacity to interfere with witnesses as they had already given statements.

Charpentier is hoping to graduate his QUT business degree next year, the court was told. Photo: Supplied.,

Justice Davis said it was “obvious” from Mrs Charpentier’s statements to emergency services that self-defence would be in play as a potential defence, and that a partial defence of provocation could also arise.

He said it seemed “highly likely” the incident was a “spontaneous killing” of an “emotional” nature.

“This isn’t someone who’s done a home invasion and shot someone … It all seems to occur in the moment.”

The court heard Mrs Charpentier had offered a $250,000 surety for her son’s bail.

Justice Davis noted the prosecution had concerns with some potential inconsistencies in Mrs Charpentier’s account of events, and risks of her “lying to protect him”.

“Mrs Charpentier was attempting to describe a situation which would have been traumatic for her,” he noted.

“Not only has a relative of hers been killed – her son is the killer.”

Supporters of Jonah Francois Charpentier leave Brisbane Supreme Court following his successful bail application. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Justice Davis suggested a no contact condition be put in place given the early stages of the case, and said that could then be amended at a later date.

He said he didn’t consider Charpentier to be a flight risk given his lack of passport and personal wealth.

“It just doesn’t seem to me that there’s any realistic destination where he could flee”, he said.

Justice Davis said those that performed well on bail tended to be those that integrated back into their lives, and that “nothing hinders that more than having some tracking device hanging off one’s ankle”.

He suggested a no drugs or alcohol condition however, as the incident had occurred after alcohol was consumed at the dinner.

Drugs had also been found in both Charpentier and his mother’s bedrooms, the court was told.

Charpentier was granted bail on conditions he reside with his father in Eaton’s Hill, report three days a week, adhere to an evening curfew, not partake in alcohol or illicit drugs, only use his laptop and phone for lawful purposes, and that he have no contact with his mother or any Crown witnesses.

A large group of supporters attended the bail application and told media outside they were “relieved” by the decision.

Originally published as QUT student accused of murdering step-uncle at Bowen Hills wins bail