Murder charges have be laid against an East Maitland trio following the death of a 50-year-old man last month.
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Caron Anne Wells, 49, her son Kris Mitchison, 26, and his friend Ricky Paul John Whelan, 25, appeared via video link before Newcastle Local Court yesterday where they were charged with the murder of Steven MacLeod.
Police allege the three carried out an assault on Mr MacLeod at Wells’ Kenneth Street home about 4am on Sunday, March 16.
Mr MacLeod, who was known to Wells, did not report the incident to police, but eventually told his father several days later after complaining he felt unwell.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit.
Scans revealed Mr MacLeod had sustained a brain injury and he was placed on life support.
His condition quickly deteriorated and he died in hospital on March 26.
Wells, Mitchison and Whelan were was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in company and appeared in Maitland Local Court the following day.
The charges were upgraded to murder yesterday following a post mortem investigation.
During Whelan’s application for bail, magistrate Robert Stone said there appeared to be an issue about intent.
The Crown prosecutor conceded the case for murder against Whelan was not the strongest.
The court heard there were conflicting statements about what had happened during the alleged incident.
Whelan, of Thompson Street, was granted bail and is to report to police daily.
His family gasped sighs of relief following the determination.
Neither Wells, of Kenneth Street, or Mitchison, of Melbourne Street, applied for bail.
None of the accused entered pleas.
The matter has been adjourned to June 4.