SA court told murderer Wendie-Sue Dent could fire lawyer, restart bid for victim’s assets and ashes

The black widow who wants her victim’s money and his ashes has promised to give up if the High Court rejects her – but the dead man’s family say that’s a worthless vow.

Black widow murderer Wendie-Sue Dent could sack her lawyer and restart her claim on her victim’s assets and ashes unless a judge finally brings the decade-long case to an end, a court has heard.

In an at-times fiery Supreme Court hearing on Monday, David Lawrence’s family urged Judge Graham Dart to deny Dent’s request for yet another adjournment.

Nic Kernhan, for Dent, conceded a High Court challenge to her conviction still had yet to be filed but said his client had promised that, if it failed, she would abandon her civil case.

Simon Ower KC, for Mr Lawrence’s family, said that was insufficient reason to further delay the case.

Simon Ower KC is representing David Lawrence’s family. Picture: Supplied

Nic Kernahan is representing Wendie-Sue Dent. Picture: Dean Martin

“There will need to be some kind of binding order to that effect because, if she sacks Mr Kernahan again, as she’s done in the past, there will just be fresh counsel,” he said.

That prompted an interjection from Mr Kernahan, but Mr Ower continued to speak.

“I would rather my friend not interrupt my submissions, it’s extremely rude,” he said.

“There has been default in Mr Kernahan filing this application (and) he has failed to inform this court when funding (for the High Court appeal) was approved.

“He has failed to inform this court when he ceased being instructed (by Dent) and when he started being instructed again.”

Wendie-Sue Dent is serving a life sentence for the murder of David Lawrence. Picture: Nine News.

Dent, 66, of Dapto in NSW, has twice been convicted of murdering David, 63, in 2015 by using her medication, and with the intent of claiming his $300,000 estate for herself.

She has also sued the Lawrences, insisting she is David’s rightful beneficiary and should have sole control of his ashes – meaning he has never had a funeral.

The Lawrences have spent $30,000 in just four months arguing her claims should be thrown out because, under law, criminals forfeit any right to financially benefit from their actions.

On Monday, Mr Kernahan apologised for “the late filing” of documents in the civil case, saying he had been waiting for “more detail” from Dent’s criminal lawyers.

“The (High Court bid) has not been filed as of now … I’ve received an email from (barrister) Marie Shaw KC telling me that the draft outline has been drafted,” he said.

David Lawrence, third from left, with his family. Picture: Supplied by the Lawrence family

“It’s likely to be lodged by Friday this week, or Monday next week at the latest … I’ve attempted to obtain instructions as best I can.”

He said the civil claim should be stayed until the High Court had ruled on Dent’s case, but Mr Ower said three aspects of law argued against that.

He said that, in addition to the forfeiture rule, legal precedent stated a High Court appeal was no reason to delay estate and inheritance matters.

Additionally, both of Dent’s trials had found the will she was using to seek Mr Lawrence’s estate had been falsified – meaning it could never be accepted by the civil court.

Judge Graham Dart said he would read and consider those authorities, and hear further argument, next week.