Update, Tuesday 2.30pm:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A FYANS Creek woman has been found guilty of murder after a 10-day trial at the Supreme Court in Horsham.
Janice Bufton, 68, was charged with the murder of her former partner Colin Snooks, whom she hit and killed with a Holden Colorado utility vehicle on the driveway of her property on October 30, 2017.
Bufton entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder and appeared before Justice Andrew Tinney from May 15.
Prosecutor Kevin Armstrong pushed for a verdict of murder, arguing that Bufton had intended to hit and either cause serious harm or kill Mr Snooks.
Mr Armstrong said the incident was the culmination of an abusive relationship in which Bufton verbally and physically assaulted Mr Snooks before finally running him down in a fit of "incandescent rage".
He told the jury the relationship had been "volatile" and called on several witnesses to describe the relationship, including Mr Snooks' ex-wife Carol Snooks.
Defence lawyer Tom Danos argued the collision was a tragic accident and Bufton should be acquitted.
Mr Danos called on evidence about Mr Snooks' poor balance - the result of two rounds of ankle surgery and arthritis - to argue he fell into the vehicle's path just as Bufton tried to steer out of his way.
Bufton told police during her initial interview, the day of Mr Snooks' death, that she had taken control of his vehicle so that he couldn't leave the property. She wanted to talk about their relationship.
There was only one eye-witness, Benjamin Weston, who had since died in unrelated circumstances.
The prosecution played a video of his statement made the day after Mr Snooks' death.
Mr Weston told police Bufton drove the vehicle around the back of the house, before coming back and "gunning" it up her driveway.
Mr Weston said he was forced to jump out of the way and described calling out a warning to Mr Snooks as Bufton approached and witnessing a "look of horror" on Mr Snooks' face as he realised the vehicle was coming for him.
Bufton administered CPR but Mr Snooks died at the scene from internal injuries.
It took the jury two full days to reach a verdict.
The court will resume for sentencing at a date to be confirmed.
Earlier:
A FYANS Creek woman has been found guilty of murder after a 10-day trial at the Supreme Court in Horsham.
Janice Bufton, 68, was charged with murder over the death of her former partner Colin Snooks, whom she hit and killed with a Holden Colorado utility vehicle at her Fyans Creek property on October 30, 2017.
Related: Lake Fyans homicide trial begins
Mr Snooks died at the scene from the resulting internal injuries.
Ms Bufton entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder and appeared before Justice Andrew Tinney on May 15.
Prosecutor Kevin Armstrong pushed for a verdict of murder, arguing that Ms Bufton had intended to hit and either cause serious harm or kill Mr Snooks.
Defence lawyer Tom Danos argued the collision was a tragic accident and Ms Bufton should be acquitted.
More to come.