A former animal shelter worker admitted she planned to sell a jar containing a human toe and several bone fragments on the black market.
Lilydale mother Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, 47, from Melbourne’s north-east, will plead guilty to one count of offensive conduct involving human remains when her case returns to court on March 17.
His lawyer Rainer Martini indicated his client’s plan to plead guilty when the case was mentioned at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
A dog was handed over to a shelter in the Yarra Ranges where Kinman was volunteering last February following the natural death of its owner, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
It is understood the dog ate part of its owner’s paw before his body was discovered, Herald of the sun reported.
The pet vomited up a toe and other remains, which Kinman allegedly kept in a jar with the intention of selling them on the black market.
Kinman was later arrested following a tip to police, but was released without charge.
Following a six-month investigation, she was arrested again last August and charged with offensive conduct involving human remains.
Joanna Kathlyn Kinman (pictured) will plead guilty to collecting human remains to sell on the black market.
Full details of Kinman’s alleged crimes will be revealed when the case returns to court in March.
He faces up to two years in prison.
Martini informed the court on Monday that his client is undergoing sessions with a forensic psychologist to understand the reasoning for his action.
“The court may be interested in looking at the avenue as to why my client thought this was appropriate behavior,” Mr. Martini said.
He has sought to have Kinman sentenced to a diversion program, which would put her in rehab instead of prison.
The former animal shelter volunteer (pictured) saved a human toe and bone fragments in a jar after a surrendered dog vomited up the remains.
Medical reports from Kinman’s counselor and doctor will also be submitted for consideration, the court heard.
The court heard prosecutors were “not interested” in Mr Martini’s proposed diversion.
“It is unlikely that they would agree, given that the informant apparently doesn’t like the idea very much,” Mr. Martini said.
Kinman no longer works at the animal shelter, which cannot be named for legal reasons.