Court told no work worries for Beets murder accused

Updated

October 05, 2011 15:22:09

Lawyers for a man charged with murdering Sydney nurse Michelle Beets say he was not worried about finding more work.

Walter Marsh is accused of killing his former boss at Royal North Shore Hospital outside her Chatswood home in April last year by slitting her throat and stabbing her eight times.

Prosecutors have argued the former United States marine was desperate to maintain a working visa, and he believed Ms Beets was giving him bad references.

The 51-year-old has pleaded not guilty in the New South Wales Supreme Court.

Today defence lawyer Keith Chapel continued to cross-examine his client’s wife, Samantha Marsh.

Mrs Marsh is the prosecution’s main witness, and has previously told the court her husband confessed to her that he had killed Ms Beets.

Mr Chapel accused his client’s wife of taking small pieces of information and working it into a false story in an attempt to secure a permanent visa in Australia for herself.

He also asked Mrs Marsh about the couple’s financial situation and their plans for the future before Ms Beets’ death.

Mrs Marsh told the court they had planned to open a hospitality business in her home country of Vietnam, and that her husband had said he was glad for the break after losing his job at Royal North Shore Hospital.

She also contradicted the crown’s claim the couple were desperate to stay in Australia, saying they planned the leave the country anyway.

Topics:
courts-and-trials,
murder-and-manslaughter,
chatswood-2067

First posted

October 05, 2011 15:20:47



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