Olympic cyclist’s court case over wife’s death delayed
Abe Maddison |
Former champion cyclist Rohan Dennis has delayed pleading to charges over the death of his wife, fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins, so negotiations with prosecutors can continue.
Dennis, 34, was arrested after Ms Hoskins, 32, was struck by his vehicle in front of their home at Medindie in Adelaide’s inner-north on December 30.
The mother of two was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but died that night.
Dennis, who is on bail, appeared briefly in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
His counsel requested a six-week adjournment so that negotiations with prosecutors could continue.
Magistrate Justin Wickens agreed to the request and ordered Dennis to reappear on December 10.
Dennis did not comment when he left court.
At a charge determination hearing in August, prosecutors confirmed they would proceed with charges of causing death by dangerous driving and driving without due care.
If found guilty of the first charge, he faces a maximum 15-year prison term and mandatory minimum 10-year licence disqualification.
The second charge has a maximum penalty of 12 months’ jail and a six-month disqualification.
Ms Hoskins competed at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics on the track in the team pursuit, and was in the squad that won the 2015 world title in the event.
During his competitive career, Dennis won two world titles in the road time trial, as well as silver in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics and bronze in the road time trial at the Tokyo Olympics.
He became the seventh Australian to wear the yellow jersey as race leader at the Tour de France by winning the opening time trial in 2015, setting a race record for his average speed.
He also won the 2015 Tour Down Under in South Australia.
Ms Hoskins was laid to rest in her home city of Perth and a public memorial service was held in Adelaide in February. Dennis attended the service with their two children.
In March, prosecutors told Adelaide Magistrates Court police needed six months to complete a major crash reconstruction and four weeks to get the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
AAP