Waverley man who allegedly murdered ex partner’s new boyfriend stands trial

A jury will determine whether a jealous ex is guilty of stabbing his former partner and killing her new lover while they lay in bed. What the court heard.

Launceston Supreme Court. Picture: Patrick Gee

A jury of 12 will determine whether a jealous ex is guilty of stabbing his former partner and killing her new lover while they lay in bed.

Waverly man Kerry Lee Whiting, 46, pleaded not guilty to an alleged double stabbing at Ravenswood on November 25, 2021, where prosecutors allege he murdered Adrian Paul Mayne, 36, and attempted to kill Natalie Joyce Harris, 36.

On Tuesday, Mr Whiting appeared in the Launceston Supreme Court to stand trial before Chief Justice Tamara Jago.

The trial is expected to take two to three weeks and involve nearly thirty witnesses.

Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates SC said given the number of wounds inflicted to Mr Mayne and Ms Harris, it was evident that Mr Whiting had intended to kill them both.

“It is the Crown’s case that the accused had intended to kill both Mr Mayne and Ms Harris but did not succeed,” Mr Coates said.

Kerry Whiting. Picture: Tasmania Police.

“The sheer number of wounds shows the attacker acted in a frenzy in an attempt to kill them.”

The jury heard that Mr Mayne was stabbed more than 27 times on the left side of his chest and to the back of his head with one wound causing 600ml of blood to pool in his lungs, likely killing him.

Mr Coates said that Ms Harris suffered life-threatening injuries with three stab wounds to the chest, three to the neck, wounds to the right wrist and forearm, a fractured rib, and internal bleeding in the neck, which required urgent surgery and a blood transfusion.

He said that an autopsy revealed no defensive wounds on Mr Mayne, demonstrating that the couple were attacked in their bed.

The court heard that Ms Harris had been in a relationship with Mr Whiting for 20 years and the couple had three children together.

After their separation in July 2021, Ms Harris moved out of their Dalkeith Street home at Waverley and moved to a residence on Prossers Forest Road, Ravenswood, taking with two of the children.

Following Ms Harris met Mr Mayne via the internet, and he frequently visited from Hobart.

Mr Coates said that when Mr Whiting learned that Ms Harris was seeing another man, he was “jealous and upset”.

Mr Coates said one child would give evidence that she heard Mr Whiting said, “he was going to kill Mr Mayne”, while another child said that Mr Whiting was angry and said that “no one else was raising his children”.

The jury was told that In the weeks before the alleged murder and attempted murder, Mr Whiting was seen near the Ravenswood address and entered the home through the laundry on one occasion.

Mr Coates said that at 3.30am on the night of the attack, Ms Harris woke when she heard Mr Mayne say, “Don’t stab her”.

He said she saw that a man had a knife and clearly identified the man as Mr Whiting.

The jury heard The couple’s 16-year-old son was allegedly woken by screaming and went to his mother’s room.

Mr Coates said when the son entered the master bedroom, he saw a lot of blood before he pushed the attacker off his mother and said, “That’s my mum! What are you doing?”.

The court heard that he realised the attacker was his father, he said, “You’re my dad, why are you doing this? How could you”.

Mr Coates said the son alleged that after grappling with his father, the pair fell down the stairs leading to the bedroom, and then the accused left through the front door, taking the knife with him.

The son then provided first aid to his mother before attempting CPR on the unresponsive Mr Mayne on the floor.

Mr Coates said when police arrived Ms Harris identified the assailant as Kerry Whiting.

The jury heard that When a police officer asked, “Why would he do this?” Ms Harris replied:“ He’s my ex”.

Criminal defence lawyer Greg Melick said that no forensic evidence could place Mr Whiting at the Ravenswood home.

Mr Mayne died at the scene while Ms Harris was taken to the Launceston General Hospital for treatment.

Mr Coates said that Mr Whiting was unable to be found for a week after the alleged crimes.

“It’s the Crown case that he knew what he had done and tried to avoid authorities,” Mr Coates said.

“He was conscious he was guilty of murder and attempting to murder.”

The trial is set to continue on Wednesday, June 5.