Jury Reviews Disturbing Footage in High-Stakes Murder Trial

The Northern Territory Supreme Court has been the scene of a gripping trial this week, where Lindsay Kennedy stands accused of murdering his ex-partner, Colleen Bradshaw. The proceedings have revealed shocking evidence, including CCTV footage capturing a violent assault that occurred just days before her tragic death.

On July 11, 2024, the jury viewed chilling footage from two cameras on Railway Terrace in Katherine, illustrating Kennedy's brutal attack on the 36-year-old victim. The video showed him punching Bradshaw multiple times, followed by a deliberate stomp on her head as she lay on the ground, after which he kicked her again, instructing her to 'get the f*** out of my life.' The sequence concluded with him walking away, leaving Bradshaw to cry out in pain.

During closing arguments, Crown prosecutor Deborah Mandie urged jurors to consider Kennedy's actions as indicative of his intent to kill. She described how he approached Bradshaw with aggression, emphasizing that his unprovoked assault displayed a clear motive for murder.

In contrast, defense attorney David Hallowes SC argued that while Kennedy's actions were indeed violent, they did not necessarily demonstrate an intent to kill. He suggested that a guilty verdict for a lesser charge, such as committing a violent act causing death, would be more appropriate. Hallowes pointed out that Bradshaw was still alive after the assault, implying that if Kennedy intended to kill her, he would have continued the attack.

As the trial unfolded, evidence revealed the harrowing circumstances leading to Bradshaw's death on July 17. Despite calling emergency services four times following the assault, where she expressed her injuries and need for assistance, it took several days for her to receive proper medical care. By the time she was admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital, the effects of the blunt force trauma she endured had severely affected her health, leading to her eventual passing.

Forensic pathologist Salona Roopan testified that Bradshaw's cause of death was attributed to blunt force head trauma, exacerbated by a slow bleed in her skull from the earlier assault. This bleeding had displaced her brain, ultimately resulting in her demise.

Justice Peter Barr is expected to provide the jury with instructions on Monday as they prepare to deliberate on the case. The outcome of this trial carries significant weight, following the emotional recounting of events leading to a young woman's untimely death.

Source: www.abc.net.au