Mistrial declared in case of accused murderers Margaret Anne Otto and Bradley Scott Purkiss

A mistrial has been declared in the Supreme Court case of accused murderers Margaret Anne Otto and Bradley Scott Purkiss.

Alleged murder victim Dwayne “Doc” Davies. Picture: Ink Addiction

A MISTRIAL has been declared in the Supreme Court case of accused murderers Margaret Anne Otto and Bradley Scott Purkiss.

The reason for the mistrial cannot be disclosed as it may affect future legal proceedings.

The trial, before Chief Justice Alan Blow, started on March 12 and was expected to take four to six weeks, with about 60 witnesses expected to give evidence.

The body of tattoo artist Dwayne “Doc” Davies was found in a shallow bush grave on a Levendale property about a week after the Risdon Vale man was reported missing on May 27, 2017.

His wife, Margaret Anne Otto, 46, and her friend Bradley Scott Purkiss, 42, have each pleaded not guilty to his murder.

Crown prosecutor Madeleine Wilson told the former jurors that Mr Purkiss lured Mr Davies to his shed on May 26, 2017, and asked him to help him with some cannabis plants.

She said while Mr Davies was tending to the plants, Mr Purkiss shot Mr Davies in the back and head.

Mrs Wilson said Mr Purkiss buried Mr Davies’ body the following day while on a shooting trip with his father and brother.

It is alleged that while Ms Otto was not present during the killing, she and Mr Purkiss had planned it together.

Both Ms Otto and Mr Purkiss deny they plotted Mr Davies’ murder.