A reality TV contestant charged with murdering her partner must wait until police have finished examining a large volume of evidence before learning which charges they will proceed with.
Tamika Chesser, 34, appeared via video link in Adelaide Magistrates Court today, for a charge determination hearing.
She was charged with murder, destroying human remains and perverting the course of justice after the dismembered body of Julian Story, 39, was found at the couple’s home at Port Lincoln, on the Eyre Peninsula, on June 19.
Tamika Chesser appeared on Beauty and the Geek at age 20 in 2010. (AAP)
Prosecutor Lisa Duong asked Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal to adjourn the hearing until next May.
“I advise the court there is material which is outstanding, which the director (of Public Prosecutions) requires in order to make the assessment in relation to charge determination,” Duong said.
The former Beauty and the Geek contestant spoke only once during the hearing, to confirm that she could see and hear the proceedings.
She is being held under a mental health detention order at psychiatric facility James Nash House.
Duong told the court that prosecutors were awaiting a post-mortem report, due in February or March, and crime scene analysis, including fire examination and blood pattern analysis.
They are also awaiting forensic analysis of phones owned by Chesser and Story.
“Significantly, there is also DNA evidence that is outstanding,” Duong said.
“Given the volume of the DNA evidence in this matter, the report will be provided in two stages.”
Police allege Julian Story was killed on June 17. (Nine)
The first report is due on April 17 next year, and the second is due on July 10.
The prosecution expected to be able to make a decision on charge determination after the first report was completed.
Hribal adjourned the matter until May 19.
On June 27, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke issued a plea for public help “because tragically, we have not recovered the head of Julian Story”.
A Port Lincoln resident told police on July 31 that they had found a skull in scrub while pursuing a wandering dog.
Tests by Forensic Science SA confirmed the remains belonged to Story.
In June, police released still images and video of a woman they allege was Chesser walking on Port Lincoln streets that were recorded after the killing, which investigators allege occurred about midnight on June 17.
The images show a woman wearing a black headscarf and black full-body coverings, carrying a bag.
Fielke said police would not discount the possibility that Story’s head was inside the bag.
