THE family of Healesville community worker Marea Yann must wait until next year for answers after the trial of her accused killer was delayed.
The trial of Mrs Yann’s estranged son-in-law James Unumadu, who has been charged with her murder, has been postponed until January.
The case was due to start in the Supreme Court in Melbourne on 18 June.
Mrs Yann was found dead in her Juliet Crescent home in September 2003.
Her sister, Deanne Greene, told the Mail the case was first postponed for a week after which the family was told it could not proceed until 29 January.
Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Tim Day said while there was an opportunity for a 10-day trial on 25 June, the trial of Mr Unumadu would take longer.
Det Sgt Day said the next available opportunity, in November, didn’t suit the defence solicitor, who had another trial booked in.
Mrs Greene said it had been indicated that the delay was due to a backlog of cases.
“It was finding out at the 11th hour that was so upsetting,” she said.
“We had the family here in preparation for the trial and now we have to wait another seven months.”
Mrs Yann’s sister, Antoniette Tancredi had flown from America for the trial and other family members had come from interstate.
Mrs Yann’s daughter, Rhonda, said the family had fully expected the case would go ahead.
“I think if we had been told that the date was not set in concrete we would have been prepared,” she said.
“It’s just the backlog of crime in Melbourne.
“Our case was slotted in for three to four weeks and the one which has taken ours is set for one or two weeks.”
A spokesman for the Office of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that the trial was adjourned when the parties could not guarantee the judge that it would finish within 10 days.
“Such adjournments are not uncommon under the current trial listing system,” he said.
– Kath Gannaway
