A JURY is set to begin its deliberations at the end of a six-week trial where a defendant has been described as someone “who would do anything for anyone”.
Luke D’Wit, of Churchfields, West Mersea, denies murdering Stephen and Carol Baxter by poisoning them with fentanyl and promethazine at their home in Victory Road.
On Monday, the 19th day of the trial, the defence delivered a closing speech to the jury, who will begin their deliberations at 10am tomorrow in Chelmsford.
More than a dozen witnesses have been produced by the defence and the prosecution during the trial, which has been presided over by high court judge Nicholas Lavender.
As part of his closing speech, Adam Davis KC, defending, told the jury how D’Wit, 34, had volunteered in a soup kitchen, adding the defendant “would do anything for anyone”.
He said: “What about D’Wit himself, his evidence, and what people came to court to say about him?
“He has been described as decent, honest, reliable, and trustworthy.
“He helped in soup kitchens, and he helped at the Mersea carnival – he wanted to help people and he did help people.
“Far from being a double murderer, you have heard about a calm and caring man who would do anything for anyone – friends, family and even the homeless.”
Mr Davis KC also implied that D’Wit had shown little interest in Mr and Mrs Baxters’ money, adding that the couple’s children “Harry and Ellena Baxter” had been more interested in the inheritance after their parents’ death.
He said “This man, who everyone says is a kind and caring man, spent vast amounts of his own time caring for a friend [Mrs Baxter].
“Contrast that with the behaviour of the Baxters’ own children; others, not D’Wit appeared more concerned about the money.”
D’Wit claims to have no knowledge of a new will, created the day after the Baxters died, that would have left in control of Mrs Baxters’ shower mat business Cazsplash.
Allowing the jury to retire, Judge Lavender said: “You now have a very important duty to perform.
“Now, don’t worry about keeping us waiting.
“You must stay as long as you need during your deliberations.”
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