Melissa Oates enters not guilty pleas to 116 counts of breaching a police family violence order

A Huon Valley woman has pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges of breaching a police family violence order before again facing the grieving family of her now-deceased boyfriend. LATEST >>

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A HUON Valley woman has pleaded not guilty to a slew of charges of breaching a police family violence order before again facing the grieving family of her now-deceased boyfriend.

Jari Wise, 26, died on February 29 after he was struck by a car while walking along a Huonville road.

While police at the time claimed the car was driven by his 34-year-old girlfriend Melissa Oates, she has not been charged with causing his death.

The Lucaston woman, who is currently on bail, appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with 122 counts of breaching a police family violence order, two counts of common assault and one count of injuring property.

Ms Oates entered not guilty pleas to 116 counts of breaching a police family violence order.

Ms Oates’ lawyer Garth Stevens said the prosecution had not yet disclosed the facts and evidence it would be relying on to the defence for the two counts of common assault and one count of injuring property.

Jari Wise's grandmother Rissah Vox (far right) and supporters of the family outside the Hobart Magistrates Court after Mr Wise's girlfriend Melissa Oates appeared.

In July, Magistrate Glenn Hay directed Ms Oates to enter a plea on September 17 after her lawyer said she had not yet received some 116 pages of court documents.

Mr Hay said on Wednesday the prosecution needed to get urgent advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions to get the disclosure moving along.

The prosecutor said there was still some investigation to be done with a witness.

“I think I was told this last time – nothing seems to have advanced,” Mr Hay said.

Ms Oates was bailed to reappear on January 12, 2021.

Outside the court, Mr Wise’s grandmother Rissah Vox and other family supporters gathered with signs.