- Payne Haas’ mother accused of killing three people
- A trial date has not been set due to concerns about his mental state.
- His car collided with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction in December 2022.
A hearing date has not been set for the mother of a football star accused of killing three people in a horrific road accident, and a magistrate is concerned about the accused’s mental state.
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufau, the mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, allegedly crashed into an oncoming vehicle after fleeing a police patrol car on December 30, 2022.
In the approaching vehicle were Steffi Zimmer, her mother Susan Zimmer and her mother’s ex-partner, Chris Fawcett.
The trio died at the scene and Taufau, who survived the crash, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, driving without a license and evading police.
An additional charge related to driving under the influence was added. She has not pleaded guilty so far.
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua (pictured) is accused of killing three people in horrific car crash
Uiatu ‘Joan’ Taufua remains detained for this intense accident that claimed the lives of three people
She is also the mother of Klese Haas, a rising star for the Gold Coast Titans. WhatsNew2Day Australia does not suggest either player was involved in the collision.
The case has been stalled for the past 15 months, and Taufua’s lawyers are waiting for the defendant’s psychiatric evaluation to be completed.
Defense lawyer Martin Longhurst told the court on Thursday that “the psychiatric report is still being worked on”, which will consist of interviews with members of his family.
Longhurst acknowledged prosecutors’ view that “this matter appears to be dragging on without progress” but Magistrate Sarah Thompson refused to set a date for a committal hearing if there were any “capacity issues” about Taufua’s mental state.
A pretrial hearing is often a precursor to a trial.
A magistrate refused to set a trial date over concerns about his mental well-being.
She is the mother of NRL superstar Payne Haas, who plays for the Brisbane Broncos.
“It’s a waste of the court’s time and resources … if your client has capacity issues,” he said.
The magistrate adjourned the case until May 16.
Taufau was moved from Southern Queensland Correctional Center to Brisbane Women’s Prison in early 2023 after reportedly colliding with an inmate.
Prison officials have revealed Taufua has settled into a routine since being relocated where she exercises “non-stop” and lost weight, the Courier Mail reported.