Defense argues mother may have died of stress, not insulin, in murder trial

The trial of Raelene Polymiadis, accused of murdering her parents by administering insulin, is ongoing in South Australia's Supreme Court. Prosecutors maintain that she deliberately gave fatal doses to Brenda and Lynton Anderson, who died 14 months apart. In her final address, defence counsel Marie Shaw KC argued that the evidence does not eliminate the scenario that Mrs Anderson suffered a broken-heart syndrome triggered by the prospect of a nursing home stay.

She further suggested that Mr Anderson might have accessed the insulin himself and chosen to end his life. The jury has also heard covert recordings of Polymiadis praying for forgiveness, which Shaw said reflect a sense of responsibility rather than a confession. The case continues with the jury yet to reach a verdict.