Kerem Aydin pleads not guilty to alleged Dr Michael Yung murder at SA Supreme Court

The man accused of murdering a beloved children’s doctor in a brutal alleged home invasion has forcefully pleaded not guilty to the charge and will now stand trial.

Kerem Aydin, appearing via videolink from custody, loudly declared “not guilty” before the South Australian Supreme Court on Monday after the murder charge was read out to him.

The police allege Mr Aydin broke into Dr Yung’s leafy Adelaide home on December 11 with the intention of stealing goods, knowing of the presence of others in the house, before murdering the doctor.

A family member of Dr Yung wept after Mr Aydin pleaded his innocence.

The Honourable Chief Justice Chris Kourakis listed March 9 for a directions hearing in the trial.

Mr Aydin’s partner Jacinta Davila also appeared in court, charged with impeding an investigation in relation to the alleged murder.

Ms Davila was scheduled to be arraigned but her defence team asked the court for a postponement, arguing they needed more time to read through the materials in the case and indicating potential negotiations with the prosecution might impact their client’s plea.

Chief Justice Kourakis listed February 24 for Ms Davila’s arraignment.

Ms Davila is on bail and declined to make any statement as she left the court.

Dr Yung, a widely respected pediatrician and intensive care specialist, died from his injuries on December 12 and the police arrested Mr Aydin and Ms Davila that same day at a shopping centre.

CCTV footage shows the couple calmly walking out the door of the shopping centre moments before police appear and tackle Aydin from behind.

Davila, who can be seen pushing a pram, appears to attempt to make a run for it before she is stopped by heavily armed STAR Group officers.

Dr Yung’s family issued a statement on December 13 afternoon saying they were “absolutely devastated” over the death of the loving father, son, and brother.

“His death has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled,” the statement said.

Dr Yung established a pediatric ICU in Kilifi, Kenya, and also worked in remote Indigenous communities across Australia.

“He was a wise and patient teacher and mentor to generations of aspiring ICU doctors,” the family said.

“He was loved and respected by his colleagues, staff and students and all those who were privileged to know and work with him.”

In 2020, he established the Kathryn Browne-Yung Foundation charity in the name of his late wife who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly three years ago.

The Foundation supports scholarships for Indigenous medical students and his family have invited people who would like to honour his memory to do so by donating to the foundation.