Accused told police he had ‘nothing to do’ with killings

CHRISTOPHER Carter told police he went to an Army barbecue before taking the dogs for a walk with his family in the 24 hours after the deaths of Renee Carter and Corey Croft.

On Monday, Carter’s defence barrister David Brustman QC, instructed by Howden Saggers Lawyers, told the court the fact Carter had killed both Ms Carter and Croft was “not in dispute”, but the issue in question was whether the crown could show he had the intention to murder them.

However, the court was yesterday read a statement Carter made to police after he was arrested. In it, he said he did not know where Ms Carter lived and had nothing to do with her death.

The statement police read: “... On Tuesday 20 Jan 2015, I left home for work about 7.20am, starting at 8am.

“I drove to work ... and entered through the main gate.

“There is no formal role call, however my team only consists of seven senior officers. Yesterday ... I had a (meeting) ... this is just a get together that goes until 5.30pm ...

“The sergeants were then required to stick around for a compulsory barbecue.

“I remained at the barbecue until about 7.10pm before heading home ...

“During the dinner I had a bit to drink but not too much that I couldn’t drive.

“I would say I had about five or six standard drinks of XXXX Gold stubbies between 4.30pm and just after 7pm.

“I left the Army barracks through the same gate and headed home.

“I stopped at the 7-Eleven at the bottom of the hill ...

“Whilst at the 7-Eleven I got about $40 of fuel and nothing else.

“I paid for the transaction with cash ... I arrived home at 8pm.

“I remained home all night not leaving the house.”

The next day he said he and his fiancé Angela Slade took their dogs for a walk.

After the walk, Carter told through the statement, that he was told to phone a family member who told him Croft and Ms Carter had been killed.

“I was in shock ...,” the court heard Carter told police.

“Ange and I went down to the shop... when we were pulled over by police.

“I was informed by them that Renee had passed away and that they needed a statement from me ...

“I do not know where Renee lives and I have never been to her house. I do not know who killed Renee or why she was killed. I had nothing to do with it.”