UPDATE: A former army major, Graeme Davidson, has been granted bail after being accused of murdering his wife, Jacqueline Davidson, during a kayaking trip in November 2020. The decision, made by Justice Tom Sullivan of the Queensland Supreme Court, comes after three days of urgent hearings, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding Jacqueline’s death.
Davidson, 55, was charged with murder in May following a police investigation that suggested his wife, aged 54, did not die accidentally at Lake Samsonvale, located north of Brisbane. During the hearing, it was revealed that Davidson allegedly joked about killing his wife years before her tragic death, raising alarm bells among prosecutors.
Crown prosecutor Caroline Marco outlined the prosecution’s circumstantial case, indicating that Davidson had previously expressed intentions to harm Jacqueline if she ever sought a divorce or claimed his military pension. “This was made about three years prior to Jacqueline’s death,” Ms. Marco stated. “Davidson told another man that if the deceased ever sought a divorce and made a claim to his military pension, he would kill her and move to Thailand.”
Davidson’s defense attorney, Craig Eberhardt, argued that the comment lacked malicious intent and insisted his client had no history of domestic violence. Eberhardt explained that Davidson witnessed Jacqueline fall into the water while they were paddling separately, claiming he could not reach her due to the murky conditions.
In addition to the murder charge, police have accused Davidson of attempting to defraud insurers by making life insurance claims totaling more than $1 million. Eberhardt contended that failing to file a claim would have appeared suspicious, given that the life insurance policy was established by their financial planner.
Despite the defense’s arguments, Ms. Marco opposed bail, labeling Davidson a flight risk due to his diminished ties to Australia after relocating to Thailand and remarrying. However, Justice Sullivan set stringent bail conditions, including daily police check-ins, wearing a tracking device, and an overnight curfew beginning at 8 PM. Davidson is also prohibited from being within 5 km of international airports and cruise ship terminals.
Justice Sullivan noted Davidson’s access to up to $850,000 but expressed concern about the adequacy of those funds for living in a nation without an extradition treaty with Australia. He stated, “The nature of this alleged murder and the alleged motive does not raise the prospect of reoffending in a similar way.”
Davidson’s daughters and de facto son-in-law presented $250,000 as surety to secure his release on bail. As this case unfolds, the spotlight remains on the complexities surrounding Jacqueline Davidson’s tragic death, and community reactions are likely to intensify.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story progresses. The implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, touching on broader themes of trust, safety, and the impact of alleged domestic violence.
