A MAN accused of repeatedly running over his wife at their Hunter Valley wine country bed-and-breakfast had allegedly displayed a pattern of controlling behaviour before the alleged murder, a court has heard.
Steven Galcsik, 49, appeared in Newcastle Local Court via audiovisual link from jail on Wednesday charged with the domestic violence-related murder of his wife, 46-year-old Natalie Galcsik.
Mrs Galcsik, described by those who knew her as a "kind and selfless" mother, suffered traumatic injuries after she was allegedly intentionally run over at their Pokolbin property on September 27, 2024.
She was treated at the scene, but could not be saved.
Galcsik had previously raised a fitness issue, but that had resolved and his lawyers were still exploring a potential defence, the court heard on Wednesday.
He did not enter a plea and the matter was adjourned until July 29.
But the 49-year-old did apply to be released on conditional bail, his solicitor, Christopher Wozniak, arguing a combination of factors meant he could be granted bail to live at a family member's workshop at Hornsby.
Mr Wozniak said Galcsik had no prior criminal record, was not a flight risk because he had no passport and had offered a "significant" surety to ensure he appeared in court.
But DPP solicitor Miranda Scott strongly opposed bail, arguing it was an "extremely strong" prosecution case against Galcsik.
Ms Scott said there was an eyewitness to the alleged murder and Galcsik had made admissions to a family member "immediately after the alleged offence".
She argued if Galcsik was permitted to reside by himself at the workshop then he would have no supervision and there would be no way to ensure he complied with his bail conditions.
Judge Robert Stone agreed, finding Galcsik had not shown why his continued detention was not justified.
"Here the allegation is that Mr Galcsik intentionally ran over his wife, not once but a number of times," Judge Stone said.
"That was eyewitnessed by a [family member] and it is said that admissions were made by the accused to the [family member].
"I agree with the submission made by the DPP that it is a very serious matter and a very strong case."
Judge Stone said he was troubled by documents that he said appeared to show a "significant suggestion" of controlling behaviour before the alleged murder.
"It appears that controlling behaviour was evident and present for some time between Mr Galcsik and his wife," Judge Stone said.
Detectives arrested Galcsik at a bed-and-breakfast at Pokolbin shortly after Mrs Galcsik was found dead at the property on September 27, 2024.
Police allege he killed her sometime between 6pm and 6.15pm that evening.
Police said a family member at the Coulson Road property raised the alarm and officers rushed to the scene to provide first aid, but she tragically died after suffering significant injuries.
