Court artist's impression of Robert Wayne Jeffrey. PICTURE: THE COURIER
WITNESSES from both sides have been accused of lying in the trial of Robert Wayne Jeffrey, as the jury prepares to consider their verdict.
Jeffrey, 51, appeared in the County Court in Ballarat yesterday, accused of seriously assaulting Robert Linane in Ballarat North on March 6 this year.
Mr Linane suffered serious head injuries and was airlifted to The Alfred hospital, where he spent more than three months.
In her closing address to the jury, crown prosecutor Wendy Duncan said defence witness Tristan Thomas, who gave evidence on Wednesday, should not be trusted.
“It’s pretty obvious from the questions I put to him that I don’t believe his evidence,” she said.
“There’s direct evidence here of Tristan Thomas lying, blatantly lying.
“His evidence changed every five minutes, so put it to one side, I say to you.”
But defence lawyer Michael Pena-Rees said Mr Thomas’s version of events was truthful, particularly his allegations that Leanne Lawson – Mr Linane’s partner – stabbed her son Dylan Lawson at least four times with a screwdriver the night before the assault.
Ms Lawson denied the allegations in her evidence last week.
“Who’s going to admit to stabbing their only child?” Mr Pena-Rees said.
“You’ve got a mother who’s distressed, you’ve got a son who’s off the rails.”
The defence has claimed that Mr Lawson committed the assault on Mr Linane, which Ms Duncan spent some time disputing.
“There’s been an awful lot in this trial about Dylan,” she said.
“You might begin to think Dylan is on trial but he’s not – Robert Jeffrey is on trial.
“Robert Jeffrey has, as you know, been charged with the charges.”
Ms Duncan said the notion of Dylan committing the assault was “ludicrous”.
“It was brutal and it was brazen and it was 4.30 in the afternoon when four men walked in,” she said.
“Brutal and brazen does not fit Dylan.”
Jeffrey has pleaded not guilty to charges of intentionally causing serious injury, aggravated burglary, criminal damage and theft.
The jury of six men and six women could begin their deliberations as early as today.
The trial before Judge Tony Howard continues.