A Berkeley mum accused of helping a man and a woman on the run from police over a fatal fuel tanker crash was discovered carrying hand-written letters from the pair addressed to their families.
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Police allege Mariah Shea Powell, 25, allowed accused murderer Darren Butler to hide out at her Illawon Street home in the wake of his alleged involvement in the death of Illawarra father Daniel Merrett in the early hours of May 18.
Mr Merrett died when the Ford Territory he was a passenger in slammed into the back of a fuel tanker on the Princes Highway at an estimated speed of about 160km/h.
It is alleged the Territory was being pursued at the time by another vehicle being driven by Butler and containing two other passengers - Andrew Russell and Holly Green.
It is alleged Butler and Russell were shooting at the Territory while giving chase.
The pair has since been charged with murder, while Green is facing a charge of attempted armed robbery.
Meanwhile, court documents allege the trio went to ground after the crash, knowing they were wanted by police, and Butler and Green fled to Victoria in a stolen Nissan Navara on the afternoon of May 21 to escape capture.
Police will allege Butler sold the Navara on May 22, prompting Powell to drive to Melbourne in a white Mitsubishi van on May 23 to retrieve the pair.
Investigators said Butler was no longer in the vehicle when highway patrol officers intercepted the van at Yass at 6.30pm the following day, however Powell was found in possession of letters from Butler and Green to their respective families.
The documents and the van were seized as exhibits but Powell was released without charge pending further inquiries.
She was arrested on August 21 and charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. She was remanded in custody at the time.
Powell sought release on bail in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, with defence barrister Lesly Randle saying she needed conditional liberty to look after her severely autistic son, who was currently in the care of her mother and sister.
She claimed there was no evidence in the case so far that Powell knew the circumstances surrounding Mr Merrett's death.
Ms Randle said Powell would agree to abide by residential, daily reporting and curfew conditions.
However, police revealed they had a secret recording of a conversation between Butler and Powell on May 19 in which he told her he was "getting done for murder".
She allegedly replied "did you just say what I think you said?"
Butler responded "yeah" and Powell allegedly said "they have to prove it first."
Police prosecutor Sergeant Tanya Pavlin opposed Powell's bail application, saying it will be alleged Powell was fully aware that Butler was wanted for murder when she aided him between May 20 and May 24.
"It's clear from the telephone intercepts that Mr Butler told Ms Powell he's 'getting done for murder'," she said.
"There was extensive media coverage - she would have been well aware that Butler and Green were wanted for this offence, aside from the fact Butler himself told her."
Sgt Pavlin said Butler remained outstanding for a further six days before his eventual arrest on May 30, and Powell had at no stage come forward to police with information.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused bail on account of the strength of the case against her and the likelihood of a jail sentence if convicted.
The matter will return to court in October.