In a new twist, Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has called for a further delay to respond to shocking allegations that he killed his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
Dennis, who appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, was due to plead to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care.
Police allege Dennis hit Hoskins with a dark gray Volkswagen Amarok at around 8pm outside the couple’s home in Medindie in Adelaide’s inner north on December 30, 2023.
Defense attorney Jessica Kurtzer, appearing on Dennis’ behalf before Magistrate Justin Wickens on Wednesday, asked for another six weeks for her client to determine his pleas and said court negotiations were ongoing with prosecutors.
At a previous hearing in August, Ms. Kurtzer asked for three months to determine the allegations, which the court granted.
The negotiations mean Dennis could plead amended charges at a new response hearing, scheduled for December 10.
If convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, Dennis, who shares two children with Hoskins, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Ms Hoskins, 32, suffered serious injuries in the crash and was taken by paramedics to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for further treatment. She died in the hospital.
Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has asked a court for a further delay in responding to shocking allegations that he killed his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
Police arrested and charged Mr. Dennis that weekend.
Mr. Dennis’s change of fortune has been swift and shocking.
Just three years ago, he stood on a podium in Tokyo and celebrated his place in sports history as an individual Olympic medalist.
She first came to prominence at the 2012 London Olympics, winning a silver medal in the 4,000m track cycling team pursuit.
At Brazil 2016, she finished fifth in the individual time trial, but perhaps her greatest achievement is her bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 28, 2021.
In memorable scenes at the Fuji International Speedway, he medaled with a time of 56:08.09.
At the time, Dennis said he had done “everything he could” to take home the gold.
Police allege Dennis hit Ms Hoskins with a dark gray Volkswagen Amarok about 8pm outside the couple’s home in Medindie in Adelaide’s inner north on December 30, 2023.
“Obviously it would have been fantastic to get gold, but I did everything I could to be in this position and I was beaten by two better guys that day, so I can be proud of everything myself and the team have achieved.” said.
In 2017, he became engaged to Ms. Hoskins, a fellow Olympian.
Ms Hoskins competed at the London and Rio Olympics in track cycling.
She came close to winning a medal in London, finishing fourth in the 3,000 m team pursuit category.
In Rio, she finished fifth in the 4,000 m team pursuit.
In 2018, the couple married and settled into a tree-lined house in Adelaide’s luxurious Medindie with their two children.
In 2022, Dennis won a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom.
In 2023, he retired from cycling and thanked Ms Hoskins for her support in a heartfelt social media post.
Memorial service for Mrs Hoskins at Adelaide Town Hall
“Thank you Melissa Dennis for supporting me throughout my professional career, while raising two of the best children I could have asked for,” he said.
Melissa’s father Peter, mother Amanda and sister Jessica released a statement on January 2 expressing their grief over her death.
“Words cannot express our pain, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing,” Hoskins wrote on behalf of the family.
‘Myself, Amanda, Jess and my families are completely devastated and still struggling to process what has happened.
“Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mother, a free spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and enthusiasm for life.”
Hundreds of mourners gathered to say goodbye to the world-class cyclist at a public service in Adelaide on February 24.