Man accused of orchestrating partner’s hit-and-run murder denied bail

A man accused of murdering his ex-partner by having her run over by an SUV to “break her legs” has been denied bail, with a judge citing the risk of witness tampering.

Prosecutors allege 23-year-old Kiesha Thompson was deliberately struck by a Toyota LandCruiser Prado while walking home on a footpath from a childcare centre in Daisy Hill, in Brisbane’s south, on July 19, 2024.

Thompson died in hospital that night.

Police allege Kiesha Thompson, 23, was deliberately run down on the side of the road after she dropped her daughter at daycare.

Tyler Scott William James, 27, of Acacia Ridge applied for bail in Queensland Supreme Court on Wednesday.

He was charged with murder as a domestic violence offence when first arrested and later charged with attempting to pervert justice.

James is accused of conspiring to have 24-year-old Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant fit the SUV with false number plates and then drive the vehicle at Thompson.

Crown prosecutor Michael Lehane told Justice Lincoln Crowley that James was not accused of being in the vehicle when Thompson was struck.

“He formed a plan with a co-offender to kill his ex-partner,” Lehane said.

“He spoke about a desire to kill. In very distinct comments within threats that were recorded, he said that his partner should no longer be on this earth.”

Lehane said James allegedly told a close relative in May 2024, “I would be happy if she was dead, life would be easier if she was gone.”

The silver Toyota Prado allegedly used in the Daisy Hill hit and run, in which a young mother died.Credit: Nine News

“He stated he wanted the deceased to be maimed and was willing to pay per limb ... to have another person assault her to break her legs,” Lehane said.

“These are powerful statements about wanting to harm or kill an ex-partner, given to people he would have no reason to lie to, people he was close to.”

James is also accused of trying to contact people who alleged he made threats toward Thompson to make them change their statements.

“[These allegations] present an insurmountable stumbling block on a number of levels,” Lehane said.

Defence barrister Matthew Hynes told Justice Crowley there were flaws in the prosecution’s case.

“It’s not clear-cut. It’s about an entirely deliberate decision by a driver who was not my client,” Hynes said.

He said James’ statements about wanting to harm Thompson were “only meant to scare and intimidate” her in the context of a previous dispute.

Hynes said James had spoken about witnesses during his first-ever period in jail and after being seriously assaulted.

“The statements were made by someone in a very foreign environment and who had just been abused,” Hynes said.

Justice Crowley said he would refuse bail as James’ proposal to live in an isolated area was not enough to overcome the risk he might interfere with witnesses.

“The allegations are concerning. On the crown allegations this murder was planned two months in advance,” he said.

Hynes said James is likely to face trial in late 2026.

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