Warren Spence’s trial highlights past violence and the relationship with Sam Varley, urging jurors to consider all evidence.
James Hill, the lawyer for Spence, addressed the jury. He urged caution when they review the evidence and emphasized the need to be careful before reaching a decision.
Spence is accused of murdering Sam. They lived together, and the alleged event occurred last February 12 at their home.
The court heard that Sam was found face down in bed with blood under her head. She had facial and chest injuries, including 25 broken ribs.
Hair and a hammer were found at the scene. Spence’s DNA was on the hair, and Sam’s DNA was on the hammer.
A phone linked to Spence was discovered under Sam’s body. Spence was later arrested in Scarborough. He maintains his innocence, denying that he murdered Sam.
The court learned about Spence’s past, including prior domestic violence convictions. Hill questioned the focus on his past, suggesting the evidence against Spence was weak and urging jurors not to let it impact their decision.
Hill argued that the case relies on circumstance. He pointed out that they lived together, highlighting Spence’s history of violence and previous convictions, and that friends described Sam’s old injuries.
Hill emphasized that no one witnessed what happened to Sam and Spence made no confession. The lawyer suggested police may be biased, potentially wanting to quickly close the case.
Sam died in her own home. Police inquired about her live-in partner and learned about Spence’s record, potentially leading to bias. He was the last person seen with her, and the lawyer wants to avoid a biased view.
Hill questioned why Spence would talk about a fight and why he stayed nearby. Spence stated he gave police a false name, and Sam faced charges last December.
Hill spoke of a plan they had: Sam would falsely claim domestic violence to get accommodation. She called Spence with a new SIM card, prompting him to ask why she called him.
The defense argued the evidence is incomplete. While it may appear Spence is guilty, there isn’t enough solid evidence to convict, suggesting someone else may be responsible and that there is reasonable doubt. Hill thinks the verdict should be not guilty.
The prosecutor, Stephen Wood, spoke, recalling Spence’s cross-examination, where Spence once threatened to kill an ex’s partner. Wood urged the jurors to consider that at some point, coincidence ends and the truth begins to emerge.
Wood reminded jurors of Sam’s initial positive impressions of Spence, emphasizing that things were good at first and she liked him. He urged them not to think Sam wanted to make Spence look bad.
Jurors were reminded that others witnessed Sam’s injuries. Testimony revealed Sam also used violence in the relationship, and one person stated that he controlled Sam, treating her like property. Wood argued that these incidents are telling.
Wood asserted Spence lied and changed his story from last July. He lied about a past crime where he threw paint at a door. He claims Spence lies to avoid blame.
Wood suggested Spence would lie if he answered police honestly, fearing his false stories would be exposed. He changed his story during trial, finally admitting to violence but claiming it wasn’t his fault.
Spence claimed Sam fought often and took his phone, specifically mentioning this happened between February 2nd and 3rd.
The phone was found under Sam’s body, and Spence wants to distance himself from the device. Wood says it places him at the scene when she died, and when she got hurt.
The prosecutor concluded his speech, stating it is now up to the jury to prove guilt, not for him to prove innocence. He said the task is not something to fear.
The defense wants the jurors to think Spence thinks he can fool them, Wood said. Evidence suggests what happened was murder, the prosecutor argues.