Defence lawyer cites song lyrics in murder trial closing argument

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 07:32 · Archive

A defence lawyer quoted Men at Work lyrics to argue her client cooperated with police rather than scripting her emotions.

Raelene Polymiadis, 65, stands accused of murdering her elderly parents with insulin in the South Australian Supreme Court. Brenda and Lynton Anderson were both aged 94 when they died in March 2022 and May 2023 respectively.

In closing arguments on Tuesday, defence lawyer Marie Shaw KC quoted the Men At Work song Down Under to illustrate her client's cooperation with police. She told the jury that Detective John Olive had devised a plan to interview Polymiadis without her exercising her right to silence. Shaw said: 'My client didn't run, she didn't take cover. She went down to the police station on the basis that Det Olive told her that we're having a chat.'

The prosecution argues that handwritten notes found in Polymiadis's car show her interview statements were 'planned and curated'. Prosecutor Michael Foundas pointed to an entry reading 'sob here' that allegedly corresponded with crying during the interview on 20 June 2023.

Shaw disputed this interpretation, stating the notes actually read 'sob breathe' in the context of Polymiadis discussing her father while holding his hand. She characterised the notes as coping mechanisms for grief rather than a script, telling the jury: 'Not a script for an interview. Someone who's in incredible grief, where she's trying to cope by making notes.'

How it is being reported

• Lawyer cites song lyrics to defend murder accusedA defence lawyer has quoted famous song lyrics to demonstrate her client's willingness to be questioned by detectives about the deaths of her parents.Perth Now · 27 Oct, 06:54
• Lawyer cites song lyrics to defend murder accusedA defence lawyer has quoted famous song lyrics to demonstrate her client's willingness to be questioned by detectives about the deaths of her parents.The West Australian · 27 Oct, 06:54

In this story: Raelene Polymiadis · Brenda Anderson · Lynton Anderson · Marie Shaw KC · John Olive · Michael Foundas · South Australian Supreme Court

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