Did Grace Robotti intend to kill the mother of her great-grandchild, or was she driven to it by fear for her own safety?
That害羞草研究所檚 the question a jury of 12 will soon consider now that both the defence and Crown counsel have submitted their arguments.
First to offer closing statements to jurors at the 68-year-old害羞草研究所檚 second degree murder trial was defence lawyer, James Pennington.
He portrayed Robotti as someone Roxanne Louie turned to for support and advice, particularly in relation to the young child they both loved.
Their relationship had its ups and downs, like any family, 害羞草研究所渂ut what relationship doesn害羞草研究所檛?害羞草研究所� he said to jurors.
The fatal fight between the two women Jan. 4, 2015, however, was a turning point, and the details of it are where he found an argument for self defence and provocation.
Like other times, they argued about how Louie was raising the child, but, Pennington said, it quickly escalated to unmanageable levels.
Louie, he said, had a crowbar, and threw it at Robotti. She collected it again, he said, then paced around Louie.
害羞草研究所淧lace yourself in the shoes of Mrs. Robotti,害羞草研究所� he said to jurors. 害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檚 a woman in her mid 60s, confronted by an aggressive woman in her mid 20s害羞草研究所� who was armed with a weapon.害羞草研究所�
Pennington said if you aren害羞草研究所檛 a woman in your mid 60s, you may not be concerned by the scenario.
害羞草研究所淏ut if you害羞草研究所檙e a woman who害羞草研究所檚 never been in a fight before, being confronted by someone brandishing a weapon害羞草研究所π卟菅芯克鶟 the perspective would be different.
Louie, he said was 害羞草研究所渒ind and pleasant害羞草研究所� but she did have a dark side.
She was flagged by police as violent and mentally unstable and had two charges of assault with a weapon on record.
害羞草研究所�(Robotti) knew she was quite capable of inflicting bodily harm if given the opportunity,害羞草研究所� he said.
So, he said, when the fight broke out Robotti acted with a force intended to just make Louie 害羞草研究所渟top.害羞草研究所�
When Crown counsel Mallory Treddenick offered her closing remarks she pointed out that Robotti害羞草研究所檚 recollection of events when she testified was evasive, meandering and oftentimes self serving.
She explained to the jury that while the Crown concedes her initial defence of herself was justified, there was point where Louie passed out and any force against her was 害羞草研究所渘o longer for the purpose of defending herself.害羞草研究所�
Treddenick said Robotti was either trying to kill Louie or 害羞草研究所渁t the very least injure害羞草研究所� her.
害羞草研究所淲hat do the number of injuries and the location of the injuries and the severity of the injuries tell you about what was actually in Ms. Robotti害羞草研究所檚 mind when she struck Roxanne with the crowbar?害羞草研究所� said Treddenick to the jury.
Treddenick highlighted the fact that the forensic pathologist who performed Louie害羞草研究所檚 autopsy, said at least 12 blows to the head were delivered while she was inert.
Treddenick also told jurors that Robotti害羞草研究所檚 story doesn害羞草研究所檛 fit the legal parameters needed for provocation, an argument that aligns her with the lesser charge of manslaughter.
She said that she should have 害羞草研究所渆xpected the insults and accusations害羞草研究所� from Louie, who had been hysterical in front of her before.
The jury will continue getting legal direction from the judge tomorrow and will start deliberations after.
