A woman who went to a house at East Maitland to pick up some of her property on Wednesday night was shot in the head, police say.
The alleged gunman Earl Young, 55, and Michelle Ramage, 56, have been charged with shoot with intent to murder.
Prosectuors allege a 12-second recording showed the 31-year-old woman had been threatened earlier in the day.
"Come near this house and I'll shoot youse," the recording allegedly says.
Police say they were told about 11.40pm on Wednesday that a woman had been admitted to Maitland Hospital with gunshot wounds to her head, neck and shoulder.
Port Stephens-Hunter police went to the hospital. They were told the woman was at a home on Alliance Street at East Maitland when an argument started between her and the residents.
Police allege Young shot the woman with a shortened shotgun before the woman ran from the home.
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District commander Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said the 31-year-old woman had gone to the home to collect some belongings when a dispute erupted.
"The female, the 31-year-old, started to walk down the driveway, away from the premises, at which stage we will allege that the male discharged the firearm ... she managed to make an escape from that location to another house nearby," Superintendent Humphrey said.
He said the alleged victim thought some of her property was missing.
The injured woman was driven to Maitland Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment.
Police said they had been told none of her injuries are considered life-threatening.
Investigations led police back to Alliance Street, where they established a crime scene and arrested Young and Ramage.
Young did not appear in bail court on Thursday or apply for bail. His matter was adjourned to Newcastle Local Court in August.
Ramage did apply to be released on conditional bail.
Her solicitor, Claire Coelho, argued her detention was not justified due to a combination of factors, including her mental health and medical conditions.
Ms Coelho said the case against Ramage would come down to whether prosecutors could establish there was a joint criminal enterprise between the 56-year-old and Young to shoot the woman.
She said Ramage had no knowledge of the firearm and that the 12-second recording was equivocal about whether there was a plan.
Prosecutors argued Ramage must have known about the firearm and that's why she allegedly made the threat about shooting the woman about 1pm on Wednesday.
At about 10pm, the alleged victim was told to come and collect some of her belongings and was shot when she arrived, prosecutors said.
Ultimately, Acting Judge Ellis refused Ramage bail after finding the conversation that afternoon supported the allegation that she knew a gun was to be produced and the alleged victim was at risk of being shot.
Ramage became upset as she was refused bail and told her matter was being adjourned until August.
