Man accused of killing partner with heroin later allegedly crashed in to police car, fled

A man allegedly tried to help a woman escape police and crashed into a police vehicle even though he was aware an investigation was still running into the overdose-related death of his partner, a prosecutor has claimed.

In July 2023, Christopher Roy Weaver was charged with manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of Laura Crncevic, his partner of seven years, on 19 August 2021.

Court documents about the allegations have previously revealed she died from a heroin overdose while the pair had been celebrating their anniversary.

Mr Weaver was remanded in custody when he first appeared in court to face charges over her death, then launched his second bail application in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday (6 September).

Prosecutor Verity Griffin, when opposing the application, said while there were some factors that seemed to favour bail, including how he cooperated with police and that it had been a long time since Ms Crncevic’s death, “all of those matters are undone” by his alleged offending from March 2023.

It is alleged when police tried to arrest a passenger in Mr Weaver’s car, he said words to the effect of, “You can’t take her”, locked the doors to stop the officers from getting in, then drove forward and ran in to a police vehicle.

It is also alleged when his passenger exited the car and fled, he said something like, “Run babe”, before he, too, ran from the officers and was later arrested at his home in Kambah.

He was then granted bail twice, despite failing to appear in court both times, Ms Griffin alleged.

She said these allegations were particularly concerning as the investigation into Ms Crncevic’s death was running in the background at the time, something Mr Weaver knew. He’d already made two formal interviews with police.

She also alleged he had made admissions to 11 witnesses, including eight civilians.

While arguing for bail, Mr Weaver’s lawyer, Andrew Fraser from Fraser Criminal Law, said there had been a delay in getting a neurologist report for his client which added to his time in custody.

He said the report was needed to advance the case as it went to the possibility of a mental health-related application or would at least be a very significant document.

Mr Fraser said his client had brain ataxia, which had been a particular problem when combined with his previous drug use. His health had also deteriorated since Ms Crncevic’s death and he was hit by a car in 2021, resulting in serious injuries.

But Special Magistrate Rebecca Christensen said there was no comprehensive material on how he would address his underlying substance use and mental health concerns. She said in the absence of a solid plan there were several risks if he was released from custody.

She refused bail, remanded him in custody and adjourned until 18 October.

It is alleged that on the evening of 19 August 2021, Mr Weaver allegedly bought heroin from a dealer and then returned to where he lived in Florey to prepare the drug for his partner and himself.

It is alleged he injected himself first, then used a separate syringe to inject Ms Crncevic. She collapsed about 20 minutes later, so he called Triple Zero and began CPR on her.

Paramedics arrived after 8 pm to find her unresponsive on the floor of the kitchen and tried to help her, while Mr Weaver appeared distraught and yelled, “Come back to me, come back to me. Don’t die.”

Ms Crncevic was taken to hospital, but despite the efforts of staff to save her, she was later pronounced dead.

Police later reviewed messages on Mr Weaver’s social media account and allege he sent one to another person that read in part: “She asked me to inject her and I was really high and f-ed her dose up… try living with that guilt.”

He has been charged with manslaughter and administering a declared substance without authorisation over her death. He also faces charges that include resisting a territory public official and damaging a police vehicle in the March 2023 incident.