Woman accused of murdering ex-husband faces court delays as ‘significant’ evidence outstanding

The case against a woman accused of murdering her husband on the street has been delayed, with ‘significant’ amounts of evidence yet to be seen, a court has heard.

A woman alleged to have stabbed her ex-husband to death after ambushing him at his home faces lengthy court delays due to “significant” material missing from a brief of evidence, a court has been told.

Bonita Vivien Coue initially refused Legal Aid during her first court appearance in June when the serious charges, including murder, were laid.

At Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday, defence solicitor Patrick O’Donnell appeared for Ms Coue seeking an adjournment for another four weeks.

He said court proceedings had been “suspended” under the Mental Health Act but more material needed to be sought from the brief of evidence against his client.

Ms Coue, 53, is charged with murdering her ex-husband Kerry Rooney at his Newmarket home.

Kerry Rooney, 51, was allegedly murdered outside his Newmarket home by his ex-wife Bonita Vivien Coue, 53, of Kangaroo Point, in a frenzied knife attack.

Following her arrest, Ms Coue refused representation by the duty lawyer because she “couldn’t afford it”, despite the service being free of charge.

On Monday, the court was told no paperwork on Ms Coue’s treatment had been provided.

Mr O’Donnell said he was seeking an adjournment as a “significant” amount of material was outstanding on the brief of evidence.

Ms Coue, who is receiving mental health treatment while on remand, will return to court on September 27.

Police allege she confronted Mr Rooney in the stairwell of his house after 7pm on June 16 and set upon him with kitchen knives.

A crime scene on Ward Street in Newmarket following the stabbing of Kerry Rooney. Picture: Tara Croser.

Ms Coue is alleged to have sprayed him with bleach and stabbed him in the back as the struggle spilt into Ward Street.

According to court documents tendered to the Brisbane Magistrate’s court, a witness who attempted to intervene with a baseball bat was allegedly threatened with a toy gun Ms Coue had in her possession.

During her first court appearance, Ms Coue said the charge of murder was “true” but the charge of being armed so as to cause fear was “self-defence”.

Police have alleged in court documents that she killed Mr Rooney because she no longer wished to pay for child support.