Accused killer kept photos of unconscious ex-wife on phone, court hears
“The police found these images on the deceased’s phone and they have evidence from other witnesses who say they also saw these images and that the deceased spoke to them about the images and the distress they caused him,” Marco said.
“There is evidence that the deceased became agitated and confronted him during the afternoon or evening of the crime. [Mr Beale] About the images in the car on the way back from the restaurant in the West End.
Crystal Beale’s daughter, Charlie-Rose Wagner, said earlier this year that her mother was kind, loving and the most beautiful woman she had ever known.
“There is evidence that she called him a rapist, said he would ruin her life and go to jail.
“He didn’t want to be around her. He tried to arrange a lift from the restaurant but was unable to do so through a friend.”
Marco said it was accepted that Mr. Beale was the last person to see Mrs. Beale alive. The prosecution said it relied on CCTV footage that Marco said was found after analyzing the movements of Mr Beale’s car in the area, including where he told officers he was looking for Ms Beale, and his unit in Carlow Street.
“There is a period when Mr Beale allegedly parked his car near Montague Street and then set off on foot, was seen holding an item in his hand and then returned to his unit on foot. [on Carlow Street]he said.
Marco said footage compiled from various locations showed Mr Beale’s car stopped on Ryan Street near the corner of Carlow Street for 11 minutes.
“During this period, the deceased or [Mr Beale] When leaving the vehicle, where you would expect to see it if provided by the account [Mr Beale] “It was true,” he said.
Once parked, Marco said, he drove towards the end of Carlow Street, a dead-end street that connects to the river, before turning around and heading towards Hill End Terrace. Marco said Mr Beale parked the vehicle there, left it there for five minutes and then returned to Carlow Street.
Marco said that’s where Miss Beale’s phone was found.
McGuire, the accusing killer’s lawyer, said his client remembered Ms Beale being angry at the Sunnybank restaurant about her meal and Mr Beale would not barter with her.
Police have released CCTV footage showing Crystal Beale leaving the Sunnybank Hotel on the last night of her life.Credit: Queensland Police
McGuire said Mr. Beale told him he was leaving the restaurant and he tried to get Ms. Beale to leave multiple times, but Ms. Beale refused, telling Mr. Beale to get lost. Mr Beale claimed that at one point when he returned to Ms Beale she became angry and aggressive and told him through gritted teeth to go away.
The court heard Ms Beale was an alcoholic, used a variety of drugs including cocaine, meth and GHB and had lost weight. McGuire told the court Ms Beale had threatened suicide on multiple occasions.
On the night of Ms. Beale’s death, Mr. Beale said he was driving home from the restaurant when Ms. Beale ordered him to stop the car. He went out and then went to look for her.
McGuire said his client said he never saw Ms Beale again.
It was determined that Ms. Beale had a neck injury and had alcohol and drugs in her system. Reading the autopsy report, McGuire said drugs and alcohol could not be ruled out as causes of death.
“He was the last person to see her alive and her body was found in Yeronga the next morning. There were signs of strangulation. The cause of death is unclear,” he said.
He said there were inconsistencies with the prosecution’s case, including claims that Mr Beale could be seen walking in the area but was wearing different clothing. The prosecution later said Mr Beale had been at home earlier in the night and it was “possible that he had changed his trousers”.
McGuire said: “As I said, I struggle to see how the case against him could be described as strong.”
Referring to the prosecution’s “persistent attempt to dispose of the body” of Mr Beale, McGuire said he “did not know where this was coming from”.
He stated that his client could be released on strict conditions.
Judge Lincoln Crowley rejected Mr Beale’s application for bail, saying he was not satisfied the conditions would ameliorate the risks.
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