Qld: Jury still out on hammer murder case

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-1999
Qld: Jury still out on hammer murder case

BRISBANE, Dec 9 AAP - The fate of a man who claims he killed his wife with a hammer
to save her from heartache was still in the hands of a jury late today, after more than
a day of deliberation.

Peter Russell Lock, 49, a computer programmer of Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast hinterland,
has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife, Gaye Elizabeth Lock, on June 18, 1997.

Lock has admitted killing his wife by hitting her on the head with a hammer as she slept.

The Supreme Court jury, which retired at 3pm yesterday, can acquit Lock of murder and
the lesser charge of manslaughter on grounds of insanity.

They also have the option of convicting him of manslaughter only, on grounds of diminished
responsibility.

The prosecution has contended that Lock's extensive planning and covering up of the
killing meant that his capacity was not impaired when he killed his wife.

Lock has contended that he did it as "a grotesque form of mercy killing".

This was because when his wife found out about all of his failings - including his
inability to fill out years of tax returns - she would have been devastated to the point
of torture.

AAP smk/sc/was/br

KEYWORD: LOCK (CARRIED EARLIER)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.