Next move for hit-and-run murder-accused

A woman charged with the alleged hit-and-run murder of her boyfriend’s ex-partner near a daycare centre has sought new lawyers due to a “conflict” being identified by her former legal team.

Larissa Rita Mae-Leigh Sant and Tyler Scott William James were not brought before Beenleigh Magistrates Court when their matter was briefly mentioned on Wednesday morning.

The pair are both charged with the murder of Kiesha Thompson, 23, near a daycare centre in the Logan suburb of Daisy Hill earlier this month.

Police allege Ms Thompson was deliberately struck by Ms Sant, 24, who was behind the wheel of a silver Toyota Prado on July 19.

She is then alleged to have fled the scene.

It is further alleged Mr James, 27, was involved in the planning and preparation for the act but was not behind the wheel at the time Ms Sant allegedly struck Ms Thompson.

Ms Thompson is understood to be the former partner of Mr James, from Acacia Ridge in Brisbane’s south.

Solicitor Robert Burns told the court on Wednesday he would be withdrawing from representing Ms Sant due to a “conflict” being identified.

The court was told directions had not been sought for the briefs and they may not be completed for several months.

A police prosecutor explained “dribs and drabs” of evidence come into the brief that could be lost along the way.

“It’s always preferable if we can to disclose as much as we can in one go,” the prosecutor told the court.

Ms Sant’s new lawyer, Ken Mackenzie, agreed with the provision of the brief of evidence by October 2.

A further mention was set down for October 16 in Beenleigh.
A lawyer for Mr James also agreed with the adjournment and provision of the brief of evidence.

Both Mr James and Ms Sant – who remain in custody – will return to court on October 16.

They are both charged with Ms Thompson’s murder.

The couple were active on social media, with Ms Sant continuing to post videos the day before the alleged murder.

Police have described the posts as “distressing”.

Many of Ms Sant’s videos feature her lip-synching to songs or performing dances.

In one video – her last post – Ms Sant is accompanied by the words: “Top 3 reasons I’m crazy: Addicted to the drama, I’m waiting for a text back, traffic.”

She posted a different video in May captioned: “Maybe I’m single, maybe I’m taken. Maybe I’m talking to your ex, maybe I’m showing him what you couldn’t. Maybe I’m home, maybe I’m not. Or maybe you should mind your own business homie.”

Mr James’s account simply states “Never trusting again!” in his TikTok bio.

His sole video is accompanied by a montage of images with a young child and a voiceover which says: “They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops.”

At the time of the couple’s arrests Detective Inspector Chris Knight said police were trying to get the posts examined.

“We’ve also taken steps to try and take those posts down, which is challenging,” he told reporters.

“It’s inexplicable.

“Most importantly, the grief that causes the surviving victims of this, it’s difficult to put into words.”