Wendie-Sue Dent does not take the stand in her murder trial, tenders witness statement that she and alleged victim David Lawrence were ‘very much in love’
Wendie-Sue Dent won’t give evidence in her murder trial – instead, she’s refuting the allegations using a former neighbour’s claim that she and her alleged victim were ‘very much in love’.
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A woman who allegedly poisoned a man to claim his $300,000 estate will not take the stand in her murder trial – but has tendered a witness statement claiming they were “very much in love”.
On Tuesday, counsel for Wendie-Sue Dent gave a Supreme Court jury documents which, they said, refute allegations she murdered David Lawrence almost five years ago.
Among them is a sworn statement from former neighbour Sharon Campanella, who said Mr Lawrence was “besotted” with Dent.
“They were a couple, very much in love and very much committed to each other … he was besotted with her, she adored him,” Ms Campanella wrote.
“They were an affectionate couple (who) held hands and exchanged loving glances … you had to see them together to see what I saw.
“They once told me the story of how Wendie’s foot had got stuck in the grill of their motor home while they were having sex in it … they were happy in each other’s company.”
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 medication – including 20, 100mg tablets of morphine – and falsified documents to make herself his sole beneficiary.
In phone calls played to the court, Dent told friends that Mr Lawrence had died of “asbestosis”, and that the condition had “shredded” his internal organs.
Under SA law, an accused person does not have to give evidence in their trial, nor prove their innocence – it is for prosecutors to prove them guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
On Tuesday, Dent’s counsel also tendered to jurors a heart-shaped ring containing a single diamond.
In her statement, Ms Campanella claims it was Dent’s engagement ring, and that she had been present for conversations in which Mr Lawrence discussed marriage.
She further claims Mr Lawrence told her that his siblings were “trouble” and, were he to die, would “cause trouble” for Dent.
“David said he only saw his family when they wanted something, and that something was usually money,” she wrote.
Ms Campanella says that, after Mr Lawrence’s death, his siblings called her and her husband “bitches” for supporting Ms Dent, whom they called “that f---ing murdering sl--”.
“They said ‘do not support her in any way or you will get dragged into this’ … we felt they were threatening us,” she wrote.
The trial, before Justice Tim Stanley, continues.