Zumba instructor Mark Waden found guilty of girlfriend’s murder
Eight years after US citizen Priscilla Brooten disappeared from her home in Brisbane, her boyfriend has been found guilty of her murder.
Mark Sheridan Waden pleaded not guilty to murdering his girlfriend Brooten at the start of his trial in the Supreme Court.
The jury returned its verdict Tuesday morning. As heard in court, Waden said: “It wasn’t me.”
Brooten, who participated in beauty contests in the USA, had been in Australia since 2005 and met Waden while giving Zumba classes in 2016.
Waden always maintained his innocence; His attorney, James Godbolt, said the case was based on conjecture and there was nothing linking his client to Brooten’s death.
The prosecution’s circumstantial case centered on allegations that Brooten was killed by Waden following an argument.
More to come.
Cloe Read is the Brisbane Times’ crime and courts reporter.Connect with: X or email.
