Mersea murder suspect accused of 'cruel and deliberate torture'

Luke D’Wit, 34, is accused of killing Carol and Stephen Baxter, who were found dead in their home in Victory Road, West Mersea, on Easter Sunday last year. 

D’Wit denies killing the couple with a fatal dose of fentanyl, a potent painkiller, which was found in the couple's bodies after they were found by their daughter Ellena Baxter. 

Tracy Ayling KC, prosecuting, held the prosecution’s closing speech on day 18 of the trial, comparing the case of D’Wit with a bitter orange - “seemingly attractive” on the outside but with a “bitter taste” within. 

She said: “Luke D’Wit murdered Stephen and Carol Baxter cruelly, calmly and it may have been planned for some time. 

“He came to such a position of friendship and trust with each Baxter.” 

The prosecution claims D’Wit made up a number of personalities, including posing as doctors and patients, to trick Carol, as well as her family.

D'Wit, however, says he conspired to create the fake personas along with Stephen Baxter, who wanted Carol to have someone to "air all her grievances to". 

“The creation of these personalities, not just one, not just two, but a whole web of lies," Ms Ayling added. 

“These are not messages for the benefit of Carol Baxter. That explanation from the defendant is so extraordinary, we suggest it insults your intelligence.

"We suggest that it’s all lies to blame Stephen Baxter for this when it’s obvious as it can be that it’s all Luke D’Wit.” 

Ms Ayling continued D'Wit had a desire for Carol to drink and take potions and was described as her “mixologist” but he was “doing more harm than good”, calling his actions “cruel and deliberate torture”. 

She described D’Wit’s home in Churchfields as a “treasure trove for opened pills”, where capsules with four times the amount of a normal dose of promethazine were found. 

The prosecution is ruling out suicide as they claim Stephen would have left the house very tidy and with a proper suicide note. 

“They were planning for their future, they were planning for a new house, planning for travel and planning for retirement," said Ms Ayling.

“No one can say when they ingested the fentanyl, but it was enough to kill them. Any attempt to say otherwise would be contempt to the evidence.” 

In her closing remarks, Ms Ayling appealed to the jury to try the case on the evidence presented to them. 

She said: “There are legions of people that have fallen for his manipulation and lies. 

“If you try the case on the evidence you can come to the only conclusion, that he is guilty of the murders of Carol and Stephen Baxter.” 

The case will continue next Monday with the defence’s final statement before the jury retires for deliberations.