Trial for accused baby murderers Reinhardt Albert Bosch, wife Noemi Kondacs delayed after ‘competent counsel’ issue

A new delay has rocked the case of a married couple charged with the murder of their infant son, after lawyers for one of the accused killers told a court he was unable to find “competent counsel” ahead of a planned trial. Reinhardt Albert Bosch and his wife, Noemi Kondacs, are both charged with the murder of their infant son Rhuan Immanuel Bosch in 2022. The seven-month-old baby was found dead with “significant” injuries at the couple’s house in Yugar – north of Brisbane – on November 3 that year. Mr Bosch has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and torture – which relates to allegations he tortured Rhuan on dates between April 11 and November 3, 2022. During a prior arraignment, Ms Kondacs chose not to enter pleas to charges of murder and failing to supply the necessaries of life. Supreme Court Justice Peter Callaghan entered pleas of not guilty on her behalf. On Tuesday, during a case review at Brisbane Supreme Court, Ms Kondacs was brought into the courtroom dressed in the same white blouse with a floral pattern worn during previous appearances. Ashkan Tai, representing Mr Bosch, requested an adjournment as he revealed he had not been able to find counsel who would be able to represent him for a planned 10-day trial beginning in September. He said further matters concerning Mr Bosch’s case needed to be addressed prior to any trial proceeding. “Unfortunately, the difficulty that I am faced with is I am unable to find competent counsel to really be available to take on a matter such as this, in that time,” Mr Tai said. Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Kelso said the Crown was ready to proceed, but it was important Mr Bosch was “properly and competently” represented, due to the seriousness of the charges. Asked if she had anything to say about the adjournment, Ms Kondacs – who is self-represented – told the court: “Your Honour, it doesn’t make a difference to me.” Supreme Court Justice Lincoln Crowley granted the adjournment, noting he found it “very hard to see there’s no competent counsel that could be retained in the matter”. “I accept what the Crown says, in the circumstances it is in everyone’s interest that counsel is retained, given the seriousness of the charges and noting there is a co-accused,” he said. The matter will return for a further pre-trial hearing on September 16 and 17. Ms Kondacs has refused to seek legal representation during prior mentions before the court, despite being urged by Justice Callaghan to consider any legal advice During a previous appearance in April last year, Justice Callaghan asked: “I’m intrigued … because for a charge of this seriousness I wonder why you wouldn’t get legal advice?” Ms Kondacs declined and told the court: “I just trust in the Lord to give me the words to say.”