Accused wife-killer Peter Rex Dansie returns to trial after he fell returning from alleged crime scene

Bruised, bandaged but ready to face court — accused murderer Peter Rex Dansie has returned to his trial after falling and striking his head while walking back from the alleged crime scene.

Peter Rex Dansie outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Picture: Sean Fewster.

• THE CHARGE: ‘Wife was a burden killer would no longer tolerate’
• THE AMBOS: ‘Husband was calm, not alarmed, by drowning’
• THE SON: ‘Mum was always dirty … I wore a wire to talk to Dad’
• THE FALL: Murder accused hits head after court visits crime scene

Alleged murderer Peter Rex Dansie has returned to court – bruised and bandaged – less than 24 hours after he fell while walking back from the scene of his alleged crime.

Dansie, 70, has pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court to having murdered Helen, 67, by drowning her in a Veale Gardens pond in April 2017.

He insists he jumped in to save her after her wheelchair accidentally went into the pond, but could not keep her head above water due to the cold and his “bad legs”.

Prosecutors allege Dansie threw her in because she was “a burden he was no longer prepared to tolerate”, then embarked on “a course of deception and subterfuge” to avoid arrest.

On Tuesday, the trial – being heard in the absence of a jury – travelled to Veale Gardens so Justice David Peek could view the scene.

Dansie fell over and suffered injuries while returning from a court view of the scene of his alleged crime. Picture: Sean Fewster.

When court resumed, however, Dansie was nowhere to be found.

It subsequently emerged he had fallen over, at the corner of Wright St and King William St, while walking back to court and suffered head and facial injuries.

His trial was adjourned while he was kept in the Royal Adelaide Hospital for observation.

On Wednesday, Dansie arrived at court shortly before 10am sporting visible bruising and abrasions on his face, with his forehead bandaged.

Justice Peek asked Dansie’s counsel, Greg Mead SC, if his client was ready to resume the trial.

“I see that your client has entered the dock and has a clearly noticeable bandage on the top of his forehead – is the situation we are able to proceed?” he asked.

Mr Mead said those were his instructions.

“As far as I can tell, he’s in a fit state to proceed … he has been discharged medically from hospital,” he said.

The trial continues.