Alleged poisoner Wendie-Sue Dent offered victim’s boat in exchange for help, court hears
An alleged poisoning murderer offered her victim’s boat to his neighbour in exchange for a letter that would help her claim a lucrative estate, a trial has heard.
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A woman accused of poisoning her lover offered his boat and prized tools to a neighbour in exchange for backing her claim on his lucrative estate, a court has heard.
On Friday, Martin Dalton gave evidence in the Supreme Court trial of Wendie-Sue Dent, who has denied murdering David Lawrence.
Mr Dalton told the jury his property shared its back fence with Mr Lawrence’s home, and their friendship led to them installing a gate for easier access and to share tools.
He said he was “shocked” when, two days after Mr Lawrence’s death, Dent approached him while he was spreading mulch around his front yard.
“In her left arm she had a little Chihuahua rat-dog... she wanted me to fill out a statutory declaration that she and David were living as a married couple,” he said.
“She said she was his executor and sole beneficiary... she said if I wrote (the declaration) I could have David’s boat.
“I said ‘I’ve already got a boat’... she said ‘you can have his tools, I don’t know how to use them’.
“I didn’t say anything to that... I was shocked... I told her I would think about it... I never gave her a statutory declaration.”
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.
Prosecutors further allege she falsified documents, including a purported will, to make herself sole beneficiary of his money, home and prized artwork.
On Friday, Mr Dalton said he and his wife had supported Mr Lawrence after the death of his longtime partner - years before he met Dent - until he regained his confidence.
He said that, in 2014, Dent moved in bringing with her a “Chihuahua rat-dog” and “worn Ikea furniture”.
“David said Wendie had got an electric shock from an outlet in her unit, and he had to pay for a lawyer for a court case for it,” he said.
“I think he said it was about $60,000.”
He said Mr Lawrence’s lifestyle changed once Dent moved in, with his beloved dogs now sleeping outside and a motor home being purchased for trips away.
One thing that did not change, he said, was Mr Lawrence’s attitude toward prescriptions and medical care.
“He never took medication... once he cut his finger and it was bleeding, and I offered him a Band-Aid,” he said.
“He said ‘no, I never use them, it will heal up by itself’.”
The trial, before Justice Tim Stanley and a jury, continues.