NORFOLK ISLAND - The trial of New Zealand murder accused Glenn McNeill has heard evidence about the last known movements of his alleged victim, Janelle Patton.
The 29-year-old's body was discovered at a Norfolk Island picnic spot on Easter Sunday 2002, the day after her parents arrived inthe Pacific territory to visit her.
Ruth McCoy, Ms Patton's landlady at the time, told the court yesterday she had seen her some time after 11am that day at the Foodlands supermarket.
Ms Patton gave her some Easter eggs and kissed her before rushing off, she said.
"I barely had time to turn around and she was out of sight," Ms McCoy said.
She also saw Ms Patton on her morning walk as she drove home "about 11.30, maybe a little bit later".
"She usually walked every day, usually at much the same time," Ms McCoy said.
"Is that the last time you saw Janelle alive?" prosecutor Dan Howard, SC, asked.
"Yes," Ms McCoy said.
Later that day, the jury was told, Ms McCoy identified Ms Patton's body at the Cockpit Waterfall Reserve.
The court also heard from Jodie Williams, who had been driving around the island that day to try to put her young son to sleep, and was possibly the last witness to see her alive.
Ms Williams, a cousin of Ms McCoy, said she had set off from Ms McCoy's house in Allendale Drive just before 11am.
After driving around the north of the island, she drove into Rooty Hill Rd.
"I saw Janelle walking and I passed her," Ms Williams told the court.
"I just waved as I passed and I kept driving down the hill."
Ms Williams gave evidence that she was not sure what time she saw Ms Patton and had checked with other people, including Ms McCoy, about the timing.
McNeill, a chef from Nelson, has pleaded not guilty to Ms Patton's murder.
