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'They played the system and they tried to play you': key double murder trial witnesses untrustworthy, defence argues
Summary
In a double‑murder trial, defence counsel Patrick Gageby SC argued that the State's case against 46‑year‑old Ruth Lawrence was weak, relying mainly on two protected witnesses, father and daughter Jason and Stacey Symes. Gageby said the Symes had downplayed their own roles and could not be trusted to convict Lawrence, who was extradited from South Africa in 2023 after the bodies of Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) were found on a lake island in 2014. He claimed the Symes' statements about Lawrence shooting O'Connor and her boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen taking over were unreliable, and that phone evidence did not link Lawrence to the killings. Gageby urged jurors not to convict Lawrence, describing the prosecution's case as "slim" and "shaky.". Ruth Lawrence pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'They played the system and they tried to play you': key double murder trial witnesses untrustworthy, defence argues. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Keegan and Mr O'Connor at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22, 2014 and May 26, 2014, both dates inclusive; a clean up and assisting after the murders were committed. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- April 22, 2014 Other
- May 26, 2014 Other
- April 18 2014 Other
- April 22 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-11-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Mr Keegan and Mr O'Connor at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22, 2014 and May 26, 2014, both dates inclusive; a clean up and assisting after the murders were committed (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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