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Charlise Mutten had traces of anti-psychotic drug in her system when she died, murder trial hears | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Alleged killer Justin Stein had a prescription for the same drowsiness-causing medication, jury told. He has pleaded not guilty to Charlise Mutten’s murder | |
Schoolgirl Charlise Mutten had traces of an anti-psychotic drug in her system when she died and her alleged killer had a prescription for the same drowsiness-causing medication, a jury has heard. | |
Justin Stein, 33, has pleaded not guilty to murdering the nine-year-old in January 2022 as he stands trial in the NSW supreme court. | |
Charlise’s body was found dumped in a barrel by the Colo River, northwest of Sydney, four days after she was reported missing by her mother, Kallista Mutten. She had been shot twice. | |
The schoolgirl had been staying at a nearby property with Stein and Mutten at Mount Wilson at the time of her disappearance. | |
Forensic testing of Charlise’s remains showed the presence of anti-psychotic drug, quetiapine, for which Stein had a prescription to treat his schizophrenia. | |
The most common side effects of a child ingesting quetiapine were sedation or drowsiness, the trial was told on Thursday. | |
Toxicologist Judith Perl said based on the available evidence it was possible – but not conclusive – to say the drug had been ingested within six hours of the girl’s death. | |
“It is impossible to estimate a dose or time when the quetiapine was ingested,” she told the court. | |
Dr Perl also said it would be highly unlikely a nine-year-old would be prescribed the drug and that an adult dose ingested by a child would probably cause “significant sedation and vomiting”. | |
“It’s a drug which can produce central nervous system suppress,” she said. | |
“It alters the level of alertness in a person.” | |
Stein told police that Charlise had been sick and vomiting when she woke up on the morning of 12 January and that he gave her two Nurofen-brand ibuprofen tablets. | |
But Dr Perl told the court there were no traces of ibuprofen present in toxicology samples taken from Charlise. | |
The jury also heard on Thursday that an “agitated” Stein denied any involvement in the schoolgirl’s disappearance to neighbours as search parties scoured surrounding bushland. | |
A resident of a neighbouring property, Jane Hutt, on Thursday told the court she met Charlise on 3 January when she went for dinner with Stein, Mutten and the girl. | A resident of a neighbouring property, Jane Hutt, on Thursday told the court she met Charlise on 3 January when she went for dinner with Stein, Mutten and the girl. |
Hutt described Charlise as being “very loving and affectionate” with her mother. | Hutt described Charlise as being “very loving and affectionate” with her mother. |
“I think they were cuddling … she was affectionate with us too,” she said. | “I think they were cuddling … she was affectionate with us too,” she said. |
“She seemed really chatty and comfortable with adults.” | “She seemed really chatty and comfortable with adults.” |
When the search for the missing girl entered its third day, Hutt initiated a conversation with Stein in which she asked if he knew where the nine-year-old was, the court heard. | When the search for the missing girl entered its third day, Hutt initiated a conversation with Stein in which she asked if he knew where the nine-year-old was, the court heard. |
“He got up and started to get very agitated and straight away he goes ‘Kallista has done something with the girl’,” Hutt said. | “He got up and started to get very agitated and straight away he goes ‘Kallista has done something with the girl’,” Hutt said. |
“I said something along the lines of, ‘well where do you think, what do you think Kallista has done?’.” | “I said something along the lines of, ‘well where do you think, what do you think Kallista has done?’.” |
Stein allegedly told her that Mutten wanted to keep Charlise and not return her to her grandparents, adding that the girl was taken by one of her mother’s associates. | Stein allegedly told her that Mutten wanted to keep Charlise and not return her to her grandparents, adding that the girl was taken by one of her mother’s associates. |
“She didn’t want to give the girl back,” Stein said, according to Hutt. | “She didn’t want to give the girl back,” Stein said, according to Hutt. |
“She wanted the three of us to run away,” he allegedly added. | “She wanted the three of us to run away,” he allegedly added. |
“That would be the easiest way for me to go back to jail.” | “That would be the easiest way for me to go back to jail.” |
Stein was tracked driving to several locations across Sydney after Charlise’s disappearance, allegedly with the barrel containing her remains on the back of his ute. | Stein was tracked driving to several locations across Sydney after Charlise’s disappearance, allegedly with the barrel containing her remains on the back of his ute. |
Hutt said she noticed nothing unusual happening in the area in the days before the girl’s disappearance was reported to police by Mutten on 14 January. | Hutt said she noticed nothing unusual happening in the area in the days before the girl’s disappearance was reported to police by Mutten on 14 January. |
On that day, Hutt said she had a conversation with Stein’s mother, Annemie. | On that day, Hutt said she had a conversation with Stein’s mother, Annemie. |
“[She] said to me, ‘I need a drink’,” Hutt told the jury. | “[She] said to me, ‘I need a drink’,” Hutt told the jury. |
“She did tell me it was Charlise who went missing.” | “She did tell me it was Charlise who went missing.” |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |