Niece charged with murdering greyhound trainer Karen Leek
A heavily pregnant niece of slain Karen Leek has refused to face court, charged with murdering the respected greyhound trainer at her Devon Meadows property.
Police & Courts
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The heavily pregnant niece of slain greyhound trainer Karen Leek has refused to show her face in court after she was charged with murder.
Jessie Moore, 25, from Berwick, remained in the cells at Melbourne Magistrates Court for the administrative hearing where magistrate Marita Altman set down future dates for the proceeding.
The court heard Ms Moore was interviewed over her aunt’s death a week ago.
But Homicide detectives did not charge her until today.
Her lawyer David de Witt told the court Ms Moore preferred not to appear in court as she was pregnant, with the baby due in eight days.
He said it was her first time in custody, and confirmed she did have other children when asked by Ms Altman.
No details of the allegations against her were aired.
Victoria Police’s Homicide Detective Senior Constable Brendan Devenish asked the court for a longer period of 14 weeks to prepare the brief of evidence with COVID-19 causing delays in forensic reports.
But Ms Altman agreed with Mr De Witt, who argued it was an “undesirable” amount of time for a woman to remain on remand “without even an understanding of the state of the allegations”.
She ordered the brief be provided to defence by July 16, and that in the meantime, a recording of Ms Moore’s record of interview be provided to Mr De Witt.
“The more they have and the earlier they have it, the quicker things can proceed,” Ms Altman said.
Ms Leek was caring for her five-year-old great niece when she was killed.
It is unknown if the child was in the home at the time.
Homicide squad detectives interviewed several family members in connection to Ms Leek’s death.
The Herald Sun previously reported the child’s care arrangements were being examined as part of the murder probe.
When approached by the Herald Sun, relative Codie Moore said her family had been told nothing about the investigation.
“We don’t know what to do with it,” Ms Moore said. “We haven’t been told anything. We’re grieving.”
Karen Leek’s friend Angela Langton said she was relieved an arrest had been made over her murder.
“I’m glad, that’s good,” she said. “It was a worry we hadn’t heard anything.
“It’s a relief. I hope they get what they deserve.”
Yesterday, multiple bunches of flowers had been left at Ms Leek’s Devon Meadows property.
No plans have been made for her funeral.
News of Ms Leek’s brutal killing sent shockwaves through the greyhound industry, where Ms Leek was considered a high-profile figure.
Those who knew Ms Leek said she was a wonderful person and could not make sense of why anyone would want to kill her.
A close friend of the trainer reported seeing her alive for the last time 5pm last Monday, about 17 hours before she was discovered dead.
More to come
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