NORFOLK ISLAND - Jurors in the trial of alleged Norfolk Island killer Glenn McNeill were today urged to think of Janelle Patton's "desperation" as she tried in vain to fend off a knife-wielding attacker.
Ms Patton, a 29-year-old Sydney woman, was stabbed to death on Easter Sunday 2002.
McNeill, a New Zealand chef, has pleaded not guilty in the island's Supreme Court to her murder.
Crown prosecutor Dan Howard. SC, beginning his closing address to the 11 jurors, said Ms Patton "was obviously violently assaulted and killed".
"The evidence about this is almost overwhelming," Mr Howard told the court.
"She's been battered and bruised, bones have been broken.
"Her obvious defensive injuries are clear evidence that she tried in vain to defend herself from a knife attack. "
The jurors were shown photographs of these injuries, including a gaping wound through the webbing of Ms Patton's right hand and "score marks" across her fingers.
"Think of the desperation involved in trying to grab the blade of a sharp knife with your bare hand -- think of the desperation of that," Mr Howard said.
"This was a very one-sided attack, made with a very sharp knife. "
Mr Howard reminded the jury that in his interview with police, McNeill "admitted stabbing Janelle Patton".
In an unsworn statement to the court, McNeill has said what he told police was "complete rubbish", because he was suffering mental health problems at the time.
Mr Howard said the accused's description of a fish filleting knife he used was consistent with the 15cm wound to Ms Patton's chest.
As Mr Howard went through evidence relating to the stabbing, a juror indicated he was not feeling well and the court was briefly adjourned.
