Sons' deaths an 'act of love', Supreme Court told in Donna Fitchett case
A MUM who drugged and killed her two sons said it was her "greatest act of love", a court has heard.
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A MUM who drugged and killed her two sons said it was her "greatest act of love", a court has heard.
The Supreme Court heard Donna Fitchett, 51, hatched a meticulous plan to kill Thomas, 11, and Matthew, 9.
The qualified nurse gave her sons a cocktail of drugs before strangling or smothering them at their North Balwyn home in September 2005.
Prosecutor Gavin Silbert, SC, said Ms Fitchett wanted out of her marriage.
She left husband David a note after killing the boys which said: “I am so sorry for your pain upon the discovery of what I have done.
“I can’t abandon the boys. I pray I don’t live through this.”
Ms Fitchett has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder.
Defence lawyer Patrick Tehan, QC, said it was not in dispute that his client had killed her sons.
But he said Ms Fitchett was mentally impaired to the point where she didn’t know what she was doing was wrong.
“She believed that by killing her children she was doing the right thing,” Mr Tehan said.
The trial, before Justice Elizabeth Curtain, continues.
