Jury to retire as ‘love rival’ denies causing car death
THE jury will retire today in the case of a woman accused of causing death and serious injury by driving dangerously in Cardiff last summer.
Melissa Pesticcio, 23, from Marshfield Road, denies causing the death of Sophie Taylor and serious injury to her passenger, Joshua Deguara.
She is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Summing up, Judge Thomas Crowther QC told the jurors: “You must not be influenced by emotion.”
In his legal directions, the judge said the jury must be sure that the defendant’s driving fell far below the standard of a competent and careful driver.
He added that if they are satisfied her driving was dangerous, they must be sure it was more than a minimal cause of Ms Taylor’s death and Mr Deguara’s injury.
The defendant’s former partner, Michael Wheeler, 23, from Harlech Road, has pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.
Collision investigators concluded his Vauxhall Corsa collided with Ms Taylor’s black BMW One Series, causing it to spin out of control and into a building.
The court heard Pesticcio’s white BMW One Series did not collide with either of the other vehicles, but prosecutors allege she was part of a “joint pursuit”.
During the trial, which is now in its third week, the jury heard evidence from more than 20 witnesses.
In his closing speech, prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said: “The CCTV speaks for itself – this is, we say, plainly a pursuit.”
He argued Pesticcio was jealous of Ms Taylor after she started dating her ex, Wheeler, and wanted to get her “rival” out of his life.
Mr Cobbe said: “She chased her, no doubt triumphantly, out of Rumney.”
He suggested Wheeler was principally responsible, but added: “It is the prosecution case that Melissa Pesticcio must also answer for her role.”
But defence barrister Christopher Rees argued: “Mr Wheeler is wholly responsible. This was deliberate – he deliberately rammed Ms Taylor off the road.”
He suggested the outcome would have been the same if Pesticcio had pulled over before the collision occurred.
Mr Rees stressed his client was a victim of bullying and domestic violence at the hands of Wheeler.
He added: “The responsibility, criminal responsibility, falls squarely and in full on Michael Wheeler’s shoulders.”
Judge Crowther told the jury they will retire to consider their verdicts today.
The trial continues.