Love letter ‘was written out of fear’
THE letter of the former girlfriend to an accused killer and smuggled to the Riverside man while they were both in prison saying “I love you so much, as much as ever” was written out of fear, a court was told.
Jack Harrison Vincent Sadler, 29, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jake Anderson-Brettner, 24, on August 15, 2018.
Mr Sadler’s defence counsel Greg Richardson read the letter that included the words “our family is still possible, just not right now” to the Launceston Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The court heard the letter from Gemma Clark was sent to him following her fourth interview with police in the days after the alleged murder. She said Mr Sadler had previously sent her a letter through a warden saying she had been giving evidence.
Asked during the cross examination by Mr Richardson if the letter had been “written out of fear not love” she responded “yes”.
Ms Clark said there were comments made throughout their relationship by Mr Sadler that if she was to do wrong by him everyone around her would be hurt. She said she hadn’t taken opportunities to leave in the days following the events of August 15, 2018 because she was fearful Mr Sadler “could have hurt my dog, could have hurt my family”.
Mr Richardson questioned Ms Clark on some answers she gave during police interviews, asking if they were directed by Mr Sadler or if she had made it up at the time for self preservation.
She said some had been “embellished”.
The court was told Mr Sadler and Ms Clark stayed at the Silos Hotel after being told by police the Dion Crescent address they lived at was a crime scene, and while in the shower together at the hotel Mr Sadler had told her Mr Anderson-Brettner had “probably just done a bender” and would show up. Mr Richardson asked how that could possibly be true when she had driven a vehicle getting rid of something all over Northern Tasmania and she had helped clean up.
Ms Clark said “it was conflicting” and later said “the reason it was being said was because I was upset, I knew it wasn’t true”.
Mr Sadler and Ms Clark were arrested on August 18, 2018. The court was told the following day Ms Clark directed police to the area of the Sideling where the torso of Mr Anderson-Brettner was located.
The jury heard Ms Clark had bought chilli powder, cayenne pepper, vinegar and baby oil on August 14, 2018 and had done so previously.
Asked by Mr Richardson if she thought it was to hide the odour emitted from illicit drugs when they were transported she responded “yes”.
Ms Clark is serving time in prison after pleading guilty to charges of being an accessory after the fact of the murder and failing to report a killing.
The trial continues before Justice Robert Pearce.