Michelle Bright murder case: Trial nears close as Crown prosecutor delivers final remarks

In the final days of Michelle Bright’s murder trial, the Crown alleged a central west man was responsible for her murder more than two decades ago.

Michelle's mother Loraine, brothers Greg, Les and Michelle father Phil Bright. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

In the final days of Michelle Bright’s murder trial, the Crown alleged a central west man was responsible for her murder more than two decades ago.

On Tuesday, a jury at Dubbo Supreme Court heard Crown prosecutor Lee Carr’s final closing remarks, which alleged 56-year-old Craig Rumsby first attempted to rape an 18-year-old woman in 1998 before killing Ms Bright with his bare hands the following year.

The seven-week trial has put the spotlight on 56-year-old Rumsby, who pleaded not guilty to murdering then 17-year-old Ms Bright and the attempted rape of the 18-year-old in the Gulgong township.

Mr Carr, the court heard, said the prosecution case “provided enough evidence” to prompt jurors to find “reasonable doubt” in Rumsby’s defence, noting his admissions to undercover police and his admissions on what happened during the night of Ms Bright’s disappearance.

Craig Rumsby, 56, is in the final days of his trial before hearing the jury’s verdict of whether he is found guilty of the murder of Michelle Bright and raping an 18-year-old woman in Gulgong. Picture: 9 News

Mr Carr said that through undercover police operations Rumsby confessed his guilt and provided statements on his own accord surrounding the murder of Ms Bright.

He alleged Rumsby told undercover police he kept his hands over Ms Bright’s mouth to “stop her from breathing” and the 58-year-old altered the events of where he was and what he was doing on the early hours of her death – February 27, 1999.

Mr Carr questioned the accuracy of Rumsby’s recollection, alleging that his evidence and alibi changed from playing cards with a friend, watching football, to sleeping all night, and then going for a drive through the township.

The prosecutor alleged Rumsby displayed a “similar pattern of events” when it came to the alleged rape and murder of Ms Bright.

He argued there were similar tendencies between the two alleged acts, telling the jury Rumsby had an “opportunistic... sexual interest in females”.

Michelle’s mother Lorraine.

Ms Bright’s body was found on March 2, 1999, with her shirt over her bra, and pants and underwear pulled to her ankles.

The Crown alleged that even though her body was “decomposed”, abrasions were visible on body, including on her left thigh.

Mr Carr alleged Rumsby also sexually assaulted Ms Bright before killing her, as “forced sexual contact may not (have) result in injury”

“(The) possibility of sexual intercourse prior to death cannot be excluded”, the court heard.

Defence barrister Nicholas Broadbent is expected to give his closing address tomorrow.

The trial continues before acting Justice Robert Allan Hulme.