A HUSBAND and wife charged over the alleged stabbing murder of Christopher Ward at Broadmeadow earlier this month have been refused bail in Newcastle Local Court.
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.
Mr Conway was charged with murder, while his partner was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.
Mr Conway, who was represented by solicitor Mark Ramsland, and Mrs Coghlan, who was represented by solicitor James Wallace, did not enter any pleas or apply for bail and the matters were adjourned until May 12.
Ms Coghlan is expected to apply for bail on March 29.
According to detectives, Mr Ward, 56, was stabbed during an argument with Mr Conway at a home at Broadmeadow about 8.20pm on Sunday March 7.
Ms Coghlan was allegedly at the home during the stabbing while Mr Conway allegedly fled immediately after.
Ms Coghlan later told police Mr Ward arrived at the home suffering the stab wound and she administered first aid while emergency services were on their way.
Police allege she was lying to protect Mr Conway and help facilitate his escape.
Mr Ward was taken to John Hunter Hospital where he died about 11.30pm on March 8.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District, with assistance from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Mailey to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Ward's death.
And following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested Mr Conway and Ms Coghlan at Honeysuckle about 3pm on Tuesday.
Police allege that all three knew each other before the fatal confrontation at Broadmeadow and had spent the day together in Newcastle before socialising at the home where Mr Ward was stabbed.
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