Faith Tkalac calls for coronial inquest over the death of her son Jari Wise

A “heartbroken” Tasmanian mum is heading to the Supreme Court to argue a coronial inquest into her son’s high-profile death must be held after she discovered shocking evidence.

A “heartbroken” Tasmanian mum will stop at nothing until a coronial inquest into her son’s high-profile death – which involved his violent girlfriend – is held.

Jari Wise died after he was hit by a car driven by his partner Melissa Oates at Huonville on February 29, 2020.

Ms Oates was not held legally responsible for causing Mr Wise’s death but was jailed for eight months in April 2021 after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, drink driving and failing to stop and assist in an accident.

The 35-year-old was three times the legal limit when she struck Mr Wise, before she sped off and left him on the road to die.

Mr Wise’s mother, Faith Tkalac, told The Mercury she paid to obtain the brief of evidence after the Director of Public Prosecutions chose to charge Ms Oates with dangerous driving, instead of manslaughter.

Faith Tkalac is battling to have a coronial inquest held into her son’s high-profile death. Picture: Linda Higginson

She uncovered a raft of evidence she had no idea existed, including CCTV footage which shows Ms Oates speeding towards Mr Wise in his final moments at an estimated 110km/h.

The never-before-seen CCTV footage was revealed on 60 Minutes on Sunday night, as well as testimony from a tow truck driver who claims he saw Ms Oates on a separate occasion chase Mr Wise with her car.

“He had been leaving the pub and saw Jari running on the footpath and then her come up onto the footpath (in her car),” Ms Tkalac said.

She said while the tow truck driver’s testimony was not heard in court, testimony from two of Ms Oates’ friends – who claimed Mr Wise had a history of jumping in front of cars – was heard.

“It broke my heart to hear that, because they were also suggesting that Jari committed suicide which is absolutely not something Jari wanted to do.”

Melissa Oates outside the Hobart Magistrates Court in January 2021, before she was taken into custody.

Ms Tkalac said Ms Oates, who also pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Wise in June 2021, had a history of domestic violence towards him.

The mother is now heading to the Supreme Court in August to argue a coronial inquest into her son’s death should be held, which would consider the entire brief of evidence.

“I have a letter from the coroner saying … there is no need for an inquest,” she said.

“But I’m pushing for it.”

Attorney-General Elise Archer said she has met with Ms Tkalac and discussed her concerns.

“An application from Ms Tkalac is currently before the Supreme Court seeking an order that the coroner hold an inquest into the death of Mr Wise,” Ms Archer said.

“It would not be appropriate for me, as Attorney-General, to comment while these legal proceedings take their course.”

However, Ms Archer has the power to order a coronial inquest under the relevant legislation.

Jari Wise died in Huonville on February 29, 2020.

Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad said she supports the calls from Mr Wise’s family for a coronial inquest to be held.

“The case of Jari Wise has been a heartbreaking one for his family and for that community,” Ms Haddad.

“They’re asking for something very straightforward, a coronial inquest that would allow some of the evidence that wasn’t able to be brought forward in court to actually be heard and for that evidence to be tested in a way that is different from a court hearing.

“It’s a different burden of proof that the Coroner’s Court would be able to look at that case from a different perspective.”

But, Ms Tkalac said she was uncertain how a finding from an inquest would ultimately make her feel.

“Will it bring me peace?” she said.

“I don’t know.”

[e-mail]