'Of course she didn't want him dead or tortured' ... prosecutors 'clutching at straws' in case against Thomas Campbell's ex-wife, murder trial told
The former wife of a drug dealer found 'tortured to death' had no idea of the 'full horrifying extent' of what would happen to her ex and is 'disgusted' by his ordeal, a murder trial heard. Coleen Campbell, 38, has admitted she unwittingly helped Thomas Campbell's killers by providing information, but insisted she had no intention for him to be harmed.
She denied ever knowing about a plot to rob Mr Campbell of drugs or cash, and claimed she was manipulated by Mr Belfield, 28, who is not on trial and is believed to have fled the country. On the 20th day of the trial, jurors heard from Nick Johnson KC, Ms Campbell's barrister, as he delivered his closing speech.
He argued that the prosecution is 'clutching at straws when it comes to indicating a clear motive', telling jurors that the evidence in the case 'leaves you far from sure of her guilt'. Mr Johnson argued that Mr Belfield, who he said had 'started it all' after messaging her on Instagram, had used Ms Campbell.
The jury have heard that Mr Belfield and Ms Campbell shared calls, with one lasting over an hour. But Mr Johnson argued this was 'further evidence of his manipulation', and that Mr Belfield was developing a friendship with her for his own purposes. "In the case of Coleen Campbell in particular, you may conclude, she may not have intended that he was subjected to the torture that he was. But on the judge's direction, that doesn't matter if you are sure that she intended really serious harm when she assisted this enterprise."
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