DETECTIVES allege the man accused of murdering Christopher Ward at Broadmeadow earlier this month was objecting to a "disparaging remark" that Mr Ward made towards his wife when he repeatedly challenged him to a fight before stabbing him once in the stomach, the Newcastle Herald can reveal.
Ian Matthew Conway, 46, and his 47-year-old wife Katrina Maree Coghlan, also known as Katrina Conway, were arrested at Honeysuckle on Tuesday, a week after Mr Ward succumbed to a stab wound to his stomach.
The trio were known to each other, police allege, and spent the day together on March 7 before the alleged fatal confrontation at a home in Broadmeadow Road, Broadmeadow that ended in Mr Ward's death.
The group were socialising at Mr Conway and Ms Coghlan's home about 8pm when Mr Ward made a "disparaging remark" towards Ms Coghlan. Mr Conway allegedly "took umbrage" to the remark and repeatedly challenged Mr Ward to a fight, placing a knife within reach of Mr Ward, who was sitting on the lounge.
Mr Ward, according to police, refused to arm himself and tried to defuse the situation.
The situation calmed down somewhat and Mr Conway went out to the garage, before returning with a large hunting knife in a sheath. He again challenged Mr Ward to a fight but this time he allegedly pulled the knife out and plunged it into Mr Ward's stomach while he was seated on the lounge.
While Mr Ward was bleeding and in a semi-conscious state, Mr Conway is accused of fleeing the scene.
Ms Coghlan remained at the house and allegedly told first responders that Mr Ward had shown up at the home with the stab wound.
Detectives allege that was a lie to try to help facilitate her husband's escape.
Mr Conway, who was represented by solicitor Mark Ramsland, and Ms Coghlan, who was represented by solicitor James Wallace, did not enter a plea or apply for bail on Wednesday.
The matters were adjourned until May.
