Architect learns fate over ‘knife-wielding’ argument in western suburbs parking spat finale
Prominent West Australian architect Louise St John Kennedy has been found not guilty of “slashing and striking” a neighbor with a knife and then pushing her amid an argument over parking at her million-dollar Claremont strata complex.
The 74-year-old man alleged that in May 2024, another neighbor met Kennedy with 81-year-old rheumatologist Dr. He was arrested and charged by the police after he filmed an argument between Prudence Manners.
The argument unfolded outside their property in Chester Road, which shares the same driveway, and was the culmination of months of tension between the couple over a bylaw banning parking outside the property’s garages.
In the footage previously shown to the court, Kennedy could be heard yelling at the doctor, “Move your car, you stupid bitch” and saying he couldn’t park there.
Manners then claimed the architect brandished a “large kitchen knife” and held it over her head, “slicing” at the elderly lady for “10 to 15 minutes” before calling her a “stupid bastard” and then grabbing her by the neck and pushing her.
He testified that he was frozen with fear and thought he was going to die, but on Wednesday Judge Lynette Dias told the court the complainant was not a credible witness and was not “reliable or honest” and so rejected his evidence.
Dias had also previously reviewed court records and found that Manners was manipulated by his daughter while testifying, which interfered with the court process and affected his “credibility.”
In response, Dias said Kennedy, who represented him throughout the hearing, was “meticulous” in defending the accusations and was unhappy that the architect was brandishing a knife during the incident.
Kennedy had previously told the court he was holding an architect’s ruler when he became involved in the fight and denied the charge of being armed or pretending to be armed in a manner likely to cause fear and general assault.
Kennedy also faces charges of breaching a restraining order after he was re-arrested in September last year for allegedly threatening to run Manners down outside their property.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charge and the court heard on Wednesday he hopes to have the charge dropped at his next hearing in March.
The trial has been going on since 2024, hearing at times farcical evidence that the women were engaged in an ongoing argument over parking for their $2 million home.
Kennedy claimed that she had a medical emergency with her dog on the day of the incident, but was unable to get out of the driveway because Manners was parking, which led to an “argument” with the woman.
Kennedy told the court Manners shouted at her, “I hope the dog dies, Louise,” which caused her to “momentarily lose control.”
He admitted swearing but was adamant he did not hit the woman and never held a knife.
Months of text message evidence was shown to the court, describing Manners repeatedly blocking Kennedy’s car by parking in front of a row of garages, despite being told not to do so by both Kennedy and the strata manager.
On Wednesday, Dias said the argument was a result of ongoing frustration with Kennedy, which was “provoked” by Manners and caused him to lose control.
Off the field, Kennedy said he was pleased with the result.
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