David Lawrence poisoning murder trial: Accused murderer Wendie-Sue Dent’s alleged love message aired in court
Jurors in the David Lawrence poisoning murder trial have been shown a love note written by his alleged killer — and told she wrote on his prized artwork to claim his estate for herself.
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When SA Police began investigating the death of artist David Lawrence, they found a handwritten card amongst his personal possessions.
On its front was a picture of a dog and, inside, was a message allegedly written by Mr Lawrence’s defacto, Wendie-Sue Dent.
“David, I want you to know I do love you dearly and I’m sorry I cant be all you’d like me to be right now, but my head is on another planet God knows where,” the card reads.
“I’ll get through this and all will be okay. Love always, Wendie.”
On Thursday, prosecutors told the Supreme Court that the note was not the only thing Dent — who stands accused of fatally poisoning Mr Lawrence with prescription medication — wrote.
They claimed numerous “endorsements” on the back of Mr Lawrence’s artwork were written not by the artist but by his alleged murderer so she could claim it, and his estate, for herself.
Prosecutor Emily Telfer SC showed the woodwork pieces — called “Glade Mill Creek”, “Running Free” and “Burning” — to Mr Lawrence’s sister, Tracy.
On the back of one piece was written: “I sign this piece over to Wendie Dent, she’s the only one that will treasure it, I have a feeling my time is almost up and I would hate the mob to get their greedy hands on it.”
Another endorsement read “I’m so in love with her it hurts, she’s the woman of my dreams” while a third said “I sign this over to Wendie Dent, the coolest lady I’ve ever met”.
Ms Telfer asked Ms Lawrence to compare those endorsements with both her own knowledge, and samples, of her brother’s handwriting.
“Is this the handwriting of David Lawrence?” she asked.
Ms Lawrence replied: “No.”
Dent, 61, of Dapto in NSW, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Lawrence in his Morphett Vale home on or about December 2, 2015.
Prosecutors allege she poisoned him with prescription medication – including 20, 100mg tablets of morphine – to claim his estate, which was worth more than $300,000.
In the wake of Mr Lawrence’s death, Dent allegedly told friends, family and police that he had been “riddled” with various fatal diseases.
Mr Lawrence’s family has told the court Dent falsified documents, including a purported will, to make herself sole beneficiary of his money, home and prized artwork.
The trial, before Justice Tim Stanley and a jury, continues.