Case for the accused ends

Press, 25 October 1982, Page 8

Case for the accused ends

NZPA Darwin The defence has completed its case in the Chamberlain murder trial in Darwin Supreme Court. A defence lawyer, John Phillips, Q.C., told the court at the conclusion of evidence from community nursing sister, Lorraine Beatrice Hunter: “That is the case for the accused.” Mr Phillips will begin his summing up when the court resumes at 10 a.m. today (local time). He is expected to take about a

day. Summations to the jury of nine men and three women are then expected from the prosecutor lan Barker, Q.C. and the trial judge, Mr Justice James Muirhead. Legal sources say that the trial could end in the first few days of November. Friday’s proceedings ended the sixth week of the trial with evidence from 45 Crown witnesses and 28 for the defence. More than 150 exhibits have been tendered and

more than 3000 pages of transcript taken. Both the accused, Lindy Chamberlain, and her husband Michael gave evidence. Lindy, aged 34, who is eight month? pregnant with her fourth child, was the first defence witness. Michael, aged 38, a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, finished his evidence on Friday. Both denied on oath that they were in any way involved in the disappearance of their nine-week-old daughter Azaria. Both said that

they believed a dingo had taken her from the family tent at Ayers Rock on August 17, 1980. Alice Lynne (Lindy) Chamberlain has pleaded not guilty to murdering her daughter. Mr Chamberlain has pleaded not guilty to a charge of being an accessory after the fact. The Crown alleges that Mrs Chamberlain cut the baby’s throat whilst sitting in the front passenger seat of the family car and the dingo story was a fabrication designed to conceal the truth.