A jury will visit the site where a woman’s body was found in a burnt-out vehicle as her former boyfriend stands trial for her murder.
Lachlan Young, 23, admits he killed Hannah McGuire on April 5, 2024, before driving her body to a remote location and setting the car on fire.
But he has pleaded not guilty to murder, claiming her death was an unplanned and spontaneous incident.
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The 14 jurors selected to decide Young’s fate will on Thursday visit the Scarsdale site in regional Victoria where McGuire’s remains were found.
They will also be taken to the property where the alleged murder happened and the home of Young’s parents, the court was told.
Prosecutors allege Young formed and then carried out a plan to murder McGuire after months of abusive and controlling behaviour.
Young killed the 23-year-old woman when he realised their relationship was over, and he would lose the house they had bought together, crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill said.
After killing McGuire, he then tried to stage her death as a suicide by sending messages to her mother from her phone.
He also sent himself messages from McGuire’s mobile and transferred thousands of dollars out of her bank account.
Defence barrister Glenn Casement told the jury it was conceded that Young killed McGuire and his actions after her death were “shameful”.
But it was disputed that he held an intention to kill or cause her really serious injury, the barrister said.
Intention was one of the four elements of murder the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt before an accused is convicted.
Casement urged the jury to keep an open mind to the defence case.
“Be careful not to obtain a distorted picture of what was happening the day or two before her death,” he told the jury on Wednesday.
As Justice James Elliott sent the jurors home for the day, he advised them to bring an umbrella and wear warm clothing for their trip to Scarsdale.
The temperature is expected to dip to 7C on Thursday.
Churchill previously told the jury Young had been controlling and abusive towards Ms McGuire, and intervention orders were taken out against him.
After the second court order was made in March 2024, Young realised his relationship was over and he would lose the house they had bought together so he killed her, Churchill claimed.
It’s alleged Young told a workmate on April 2 that he would “roofie” Ms McGuire, drive her out somewhere and crash the car while she was unconscious.
Two days later, Ms McGuire went to their joint property about 9.47pm to meet with Young.
She never left the house and it’s alleged Young murdered her sometime between 1.50am and 2.53am on April 5.
He then placed her body in the footwell of her Mitsubishi Triton, drove out to Scarsdale, about 25km south of Ballarat, and set fire to the car.
Young allegedly left the scene with his workmate as the getaway driver in a separate vehicle.
On the drive back, Young used Ms McGuire’s mobile phone to send messages to her mother Debbie, claiming she was going to take her own life.
“I’m sorry Mum, I thought this was the right decision,” text messages read to the jury stated.
“I tried to heal and cope with it all but I’m not OK.”
Young also sent himself messages from Ms McGuire’s phone, saying “I’m sorry, I love and miss you dearly”.
The accused murderer also transferred $2000 from Ms McGuire’s bank account to her mother and $5000 to himself.
When Ms McGuire’s mother went to Young’s house in a panic, he claimed he had not seen her daughter and feigned surprise at the messages.
Ms Churchill alleged they were some of the lies Young told Ms McGuire’s parents, his own family, and the police.
After he was arrested on April 7, Young told officers he would “never f***ing harm that girl”.
Defence barrister Glenn Casement admitted Young had made “appalling and bad choices” to try to cover up what he had done.
But he told the jury that did not mean his client was guilty of murder.
It was not disputed that Young sent the text messages from Ms McGuire’s phone and made the bank transfers, the barrister said.
But the allegations made by Young’s workmate were contested and Mr Casement urged the jury to be critical of the man’s account when he gives evidence.
Jurors should also carefully assess Ms McGuire’s decision to go to the house voluntarily before her death and the circumstances surrounding the intervention orders, Mr Casement said.
The trial before Justice James Elliott continues.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.
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