NSW:Crown can't prove Tegan Lane is dead

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2010
NSW:Crown can't prove Tegan Lane is dead

Eds: Judge has allowed publication of Lane having adopted out two children



SYDNEY, Aug 11 AAP - A water polo champion did not murder her newborn baby but took
the "responsible" course in handing her over to the infant's father, a jury has been told.

In the defence opening in the NSW Supreme Court, Keith Chapple, SC, for Keli Lane,
said she had "never killed anybody in her life".

"Our case is (the crown) can't prove how, when, where or even why Keli Lane would murder
her newborn child," he said on Wednesday.

"But further, they can't even prove that that child is dead."

Lane, 35, has pleaded not guilty to murdering two-day old Tegan Lane on September 14, 1996.

The crown contends Lane slipped out of Auburn Hospital with Tegan between 11am and
noon, then murdered and disposed of the infant before Lane arrived at her parents' house
at 3pm.

But she told police Tegan's father - whom she first named as Andrew Morris, then Andrew
Norris - came to the hospital with his partner Mel and took the infant home.

Mr Chapple told the jury Lane had "acted very responsibly" in adopting out two of her
babies and giving Tegan to her natural father.

"She thought Tegan would have a better chance in life with the natural father and his
partner," he said.

"The crown cannot prove a death.

"The crown cannot prove a manner of death.

"The crown cannot prove any act was done by the accused in relation to Tegan Lane,
that either was done when she intended to cause her death or cause her serious bodily
harm."

Prosecutor Mark Tedeschi, QC, said extensive police inquiries had found no trace of
Tegan or Andrew Morris/Norris.

But Mr Chapple said that did not take into account many factors including that people
change names, adding that Morris or Norris might not have even been the man's real name.

The trial is continuing before Justice Anthony Whealy.

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KEYWORD: LANE UPDATE

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