The two men connected to the death of Isla Bell will not face a jury over her murder.
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The Victorian Supreme Court was told a notice of discontinuance on murder or manslaughter charges would be filed in relation to accused killer Marat Ganiev.
New charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice will be laid instead.
Prosecutors have dropped the case against alleged co-offender, Eyal Yaffe, who was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice over the disposal of Isla’s body.
Ganiev and Yaffe were due to face a Supreme Court trial this month.
Isla’s body discovered at a rubbish tip on November 20, 2024, about six weeks after went missing.
A new trial date for Ganiev has not been set.
A rally was held in Melbourne five days after the DPP made this decision. More than 500 people attended the event, organised by Australian Femicide Watch and Isla’s mum Justine Spokes.
“There’s despair there, but there’s open hearts. I feel so supported, it’s a really beautiful turnout today,” Justine told the crowd, who wore orange in tribute to Isla.
“My mind was prepared for that outcome because my expectations were low,” she said.
“They weren’t low enough, and I just couldn’t prepare my heart for that.”
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