Gable Tostee granted bail
Gold Coast man Gable Tostee has been granted bail over the alleged murder of a New Zealand tourist.
Tostee, 28, is accused of killing New Zealand woman Warriena Wright, who plunged to her death from his Surfers Paradise apartment within hours of meeting him on social dating website Tinder in August.
Ms Wright fell from Tostee’s 14th-floor apartment balcony in Surfers Paradise after they spent a drunken night together.
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Supreme Court Justice Debra Mullins granted Tostee bail on Wednesday, saying strict conditions imposed on him would reduce the risk of him fleeing.
They included an alcohol ban, treatment for alcohol abuse, random breath testing and abstinence from not only Tinder, but all social media to try to meet up with women.
“I am satisfied the applicant has shown cause as to why his detention in custody is not justified,” Justice Mullins said.
Justice Mullins adjourned her decision until Wednesday after a bail hearing on Tuesday.
Crown prosecutor Ben Power had told the hearing that although Tostee was inside the apartment when Ms Wright fell, he committed a life-threatening act by assaulting her and locking her on his balcony, causing her to fear for her life and try to escape.
Mr Power argued there was a strong risk Tostee would flee with the threat of a mandatory 20-year prison sentence looming.
But defence barrister Soraya Ryan argued Tostee’s public profile meant he couldn’t hide from authorities.
She said Tostee would agree to stay off Tinder and live with his parents.
They have pledged to pay a $200,000 surety.