NORFOLK ISLAND - Broken sunglasses were found on the road where Janelle Patton was allegedly abducted, a Norfolk Island court was told today.
The glasses were discovered the morning after Ms Patton's death, a police witness told the trial of her accused murderer, New Zealander Glenn McNeill.
McNeill,
a chef from Nelson, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Patton on March 31, 2002.
The crown alleges he abducted Ms Patton -- possibly after hitting her with his car -- as she took a morning walk along Rooty Hill Road.
Her bloodied body was found by tourists later that day in an island reserve.
The island's Supreme Court today heard evidence from Australian Federal Police (AFP) Sergeant Brendan Lindsay, who was stationed on Norfolk Island at the time and led the initial police investigation.
Sgt Lindsay said a search was conducted of Rooty Hill Road the morning after Ms Patton's death.
A pair of black sunglasses was found near the edge of the sealed road, not far from where she had been seen walking the previous day, the jury heard.
Sgt Lindsay told the court that the left lens of the sunglasses was missing and part of the frame was covered in mud.
Prosecutor Dan Howard, SC, asked whether the search uncovered anything which might be consistent with some sort of vehicle collision.
Sgt Lindsay said that, to his knowledge, "there was nothing in terms of a vehicle accident or indications of a vehicle accident found".
When the jury asked whether the sunglasses had been confirmed as Ms Patton's, Chief Justice Mark Weinberg told them it might ultimately be an issue for them to determine.
The trial continues.
- AAP
