Source : Perth Now news
A woman accused of stabbing her long-term partner in the heart, killing him, has been released on bail by a court.
Megan Solomon, 33, allegedly murdered Leon Strickland, 43, in the small country Victorian town of Orbost last December.
Police allege the pair had been in a “volatile and mutually abusive relationship” since 2011, with both alleging family violence at the hands of the other to family and friends.
On the evening of December 11, it’s alleged the pair were arguing when Mr Strickland attempted to headbutt Ms Solomon in their kitchen.
She then allegedly grabbed a small paring knife and stabbed him in the heart once after becoming angry when he laughed at the blade.
Ms Solomon allegedly called triple-0 and began CPR when Mr Strickland collapsed.
Ms Solomon sought bail in the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday ahead of her trial on the charge, currently scheduled for February 2027.
She returned to court on Thursday as Justice Amanda Fox granted the request, finding her circumstances were “genuinely unusual and out of the ordinary”, justifying a grant of bail.
These included housing and counselling support available to Ms Solomon, an offer to resume work at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association and her lack of prior convictions.
The court was told Ms Solomon has an “excellent employment history” in the Aboriginal community health and education sectors, where she was highly regarded.
She has served on boards of Aboriginal and Koori organisations, making “significant contributions” to the community, Justice Fox said.
The judge also found there was no evidentiary basis to conclude Ms Solomon posed a risk of interfering with witnesses.
Her mental and physical health has worsened in custody, the court was told.
Giving evidence to the court on Wednesday, homicide squad Detective Senior Constable Cassandra Syddall said it would be alleged hundreds of audio recordings found on Ms Solomon’s phone captured the couple’s “extremely toxic” relationship.
The officer recalled two examples of Ms Solomon allegedly saying words to the effect of “I wish someone would punch your head in so you can understand better” and “you should just kill yourself, no one would miss you”.
Justice Fox said she had been told Ms Solomon’s defence team will seek to argue self-defence to the charge, remarking that “whether the prosecution can prove murderous intent” will be an issue for the jury.
Ms Solomon will return to court in October.
Her bail conditions include not leaving the state, reporting to police twice weekly, and not visiting Orbost other than attending her father’s home.
