New details emerge in case of Dennis who killed his wife: "Domestic dispute over kitchen cabinets"

Dennis hit Hoskins with his car in December 2023 following a domestic argument and has since pleaded guilty. On Monday, the family of Hoskins gave victim impact statements in court about the loss of their daughter and sister. The ABC recorded their testimony.

Her mother Amanda said: “Melissa didn’t deserve this, despite all the good she has done. Her death is so unfair and tragic. Melissa was the best thing that ever happened to you,” she said, addressing the former cyclist. “You loved her, and I know you would never intentionally hurt her. I believe this was a tragic accident and that it never should have happened.”

Melissa’s sister added: "Neither I, nor my family or friends, have received any form of apology from Rohan, whose actions that night led to the death of my sister Melissa,” she said. “There has been no sign of remorse. Rohan’s behavior since that night suggests he sees himself as the victim of the situation. When I see him acting that way, I’m overwhelmed with grief and anger.”

Further details about the night in question were revealed in court. Lawyer Jane Abbey KC told the court that the couple had been involved in a domestic dispute earlier on December 30, specifically about kitchen cabinets. She said the couple had previously agreed that if an argument broke out, Dennis would "withdraw" until things had calmed down.

According to ABC, that’s why Dennis wanted to drive away from the house. Prosecutor Tali Costi described the ex-cyclist’s behavior as “reckless.” “At the moment Mrs. Dennis first reaches for the doorknob, you can see Mr. Dennis shut the door again and think: ‘This is confrontational, and I know I need to leave,’” said the prosecutor. She also stated that Mr. Dennis was unaware she was on or near the vehicle until he stepped out of the car and saw his wife “lying in the road.”

According to his lawyer, Dennis is devastated by what happened. “She was his wife, and he was in love with her when she died,” she said. “He comes across as a very stoic man today. That’s important to him, for his children, and for many other reasons. But when he’s not in the public eye… he’s not stoic at all and finds it incredibly difficult to talk about her.”

Dennis will be sentenced in May and faces a maximum prison sentence of seven years. He also risks being banned from driving for five years.