Court stoush between families of Jari Wise and Melissa Oates soon to draw to a close
An assault court case between families in the wake of the tragic road death of Jari Wise is soon to draw to a close. LATEST UPDATE >>
Police & Courts
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- Mothers face off in assault court case following the death of Jari Wise at Huonville last year
- Melissa Oates convicted of two more offences against now-deceased boyfriend Jari Wise
THE final chapter in court proceedings following the tragic Huonville death of Jari Wise is soon to draw to a close.
Tensions have been high between the families of Mr Wise and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Melissa Oates, who was behind the wheel of the car when he was struck dead in February 2019.
Mr Wise’s mother Faith Tkalac returned to the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday, maintaining her innocence amid allegations she assaulted Oates’ mother Gail at an emotional court clash between families last July.
Magistrate Robert Webster heard there was “strong animosity between the two parties”.
It is agreed between the two women that Ms Tkalac was knocked back from attending Melissa Oates’ court hearing at the time due to Covid restrictions – and that she’d started banging on windows of the security area and abusing Gail as she left.
But Gail Oates claims Ms Tkalac struck her on the shoulder as she left, causing redness – a claim she denies.
A police prosecutor said witnesses that gave evidence during a February hearing corroborated Ms Oates’ claims.
“All the evidence is consistent with some contact being made with the shoulder of Ms Oates,” he said.
Defence lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi argued the CCTV footage did not show any assault.
“It begs the question why on Earth doesn’t it show an assault, if that’s what took place?” he said.
“It doesn’t show the complainant responding in any way or recoiling.
“The camera does not lie.”
Mr Webster reserved his decision, adjourning the matter until August 5.
Ms Tkalac has pleaded guilty to 12 counts of breaching a restraining order, three counts of breaching bail and one count of breaching bail conditions.
She has pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault, two counts of breaching a restraint order and one count of contravening conditions of a notice.
Meanwhile, Ms Tkalac is continuing her campaign to draw awareness to male victims of crime, creating a video highlighting the issues, which can be viewed here.
Oates, 35, was jailed for eight months by the Supreme Court of Tasmania after she pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drink driving, and failing to stop and assist in an accident.
She was subsequently jailed for a month by the Hobart Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to two more offences against Mr Wise – common assault and injuring property.
Oates was not held criminally responsible for Mr Wise’s death.
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