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An elderly woman who was assaulted and robbed at her Levin home described one of the assailants accused of having “pure evil in his eyes.”
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Grace Virtue, who was 90, died of a brain injury weeks after being assaulted and robbed during her home invasion in November last year.
Three teens, whose names have been suppressed, are on trial for murder in Palmerston North Superior Court.
Virtue’s granddaughter, Samantha Virtue, told the court that her grandmother’s health had deteriorated in the days leading up to her death.
Fighting back tears, she told Crown Prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk that her grandmother had described one of the teens in vivid detail.
“She said ‘that young woman had pure evil in her eyes,'” he said.
Virtue’s daughter-in-law, Jennifer Virtue, had known the victim for decades.
She said the 90-year-old called things by name and loved her family to pieces.
“She was a beautiful and caring woman who loved nature and loved her family,” he said.
Jennifer Virtue said her mother-in-law had a bright outlook and great compassion for others.
One of the accused is 14 years old and is expected to turn 15 during the trial.
His attorney, Mike Antunovic, told the jury in his opening remarks that his client had gone cold moments before the home invasion and wanted to withdraw.
“Here today, who is on trial for murder, is the same age, 14, and is still 14-year-old jurors,” he said.
Other defense attorneys reminded the jury to keep an open mind when hearing evidence.
Judge Cull also reminded them to put your emotions aside because some of the tests can be “distressing and unpleasant.”
Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk told the court that the teenagers’ main goal was to get money: They had targeted Virtue’s home because she was older and lived alone.
“The three young women wanted and needed money, they had identified a house, it had a vulnerable occupant … they were armed with at least one or two lethal weapons,” he said.
He said two of them got in while a third was lurking outside.
She said Virtue was assaulted and her purse was taken from her.
“Ms. Virtue’s debit card was used to buy three Chupa Chups, drinks, a hoodie, a pair of jeans, and tobacco.
“The card was rejected in attempts to purchase more cigarettes and alcohol,” he said.
More than 50 people were expected to testify and the jury trial could last up to three weeks.
