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Man 'murdered wife for insurance' Man 'murdered wife for insurance'
(about 2 hours later)
A British man murdered his wife and dumped her body in a lake so he could take over their farmhouse and live off her life insurance, a court has heard.A British man murdered his wife and dumped her body in a lake so he could take over their farmhouse and live off her life insurance, a court has heard.
The jury in Albi, south west France, heard that Robert Lund told the police "manifest lies" to hide the crime and tried to disguise it as an accident.The jury in Albi, south west France, heard that Robert Lund told the police "manifest lies" to hide the crime and tried to disguise it as an accident.
Evelyn Lund, 52, went missing from Rayssac in December 1999. Her body was found in her car in a lake in 2001.Evelyn Lund, 52, went missing from Rayssac in December 1999. Her body was found in her car in a lake in 2001.
The couple moved from Lancashire to France in 1997. Mr Lund denies murder.The couple moved from Lancashire to France in 1997. Mr Lund denies murder.
Mrs Lund went missing from the remote village farmhouse the couple shared, between Christmas 1999 and New Year.Mrs Lund went missing from the remote village farmhouse the couple shared, between Christmas 1999 and New Year.
Her body was uncovered in a lake 15 miles (24km) away when a drought caused the water level to fall by 30ft (9m).Her body was uncovered in a lake 15 miles (24km) away when a drought caused the water level to fall by 30ft (9m).
Evelyn Lund's body was discovered when lake water levels droppedEvelyn Lund's body was discovered when lake water levels dropped
Presenting the case against Mr Lund, Maitre Barthe, the examining magistrate, said the 55-year-old former tree surgeon had lied when he told police that his wife did not come home after a row.Presenting the case against Mr Lund, Maitre Barthe, the examining magistrate, said the 55-year-old former tree surgeon had lied when he told police that his wife did not come home after a row.
The glasses she was wearing when she saw a friend after the row were later found at the farmhouse, proving Mrs Lund returned home before her death, Mr Barthe said.The glasses she was wearing when she saw a friend after the row were later found at the farmhouse, proving Mrs Lund returned home before her death, Mr Barthe said.
"Robert Lund told manifest lies to hide the fact his wife came home on December 29," he said."Robert Lund told manifest lies to hide the fact his wife came home on December 29," he said.
Mr Lund, originally from Darwen in Lancashire, maintains that he played no part in his wife's death, and claims that she died after driving into the lake by accident.Mr Lund, originally from Darwen in Lancashire, maintains that he played no part in his wife's death, and claims that she died after driving into the lake by accident.
But traces of blood were found on Mrs Lund's clothing and the car, the court heard.But traces of blood were found on Mrs Lund's clothing and the car, the court heard.
"When her body entered the water she was no longer breathing, or breathing so little that she did not inhale any water, which indicates that she had already been smothered or knocked unconscious," Mr Barthe said."When her body entered the water she was no longer breathing, or breathing so little that she did not inhale any water, which indicates that she had already been smothered or knocked unconscious," Mr Barthe said.
The couple moved to France in 1997The couple moved to France in 1997
The Lunds' relationship had become extremely strained after they moved to France, and Mrs Lund had contacted a divorce helpline, Mr Barthe said.The Lunds' relationship had become extremely strained after they moved to France, and Mrs Lund had contacted a divorce helpline, Mr Barthe said.
Mr Lund killed his wife, he told the jury, so he could continue to live in the farmhouse and benefit from her life insurance.Mr Lund killed his wife, he told the jury, so he could continue to live in the farmhouse and benefit from her life insurance.
Mr Lund told the court his wife did not adjust to life in France and struggled with drinking.Mr Lund told the court his wife did not adjust to life in France and struggled with drinking.
He admitted firing a shotgun over the roof of a neighbour's house after Mrs Lund had a row with them.He admitted firing a shotgun over the roof of a neighbour's house after Mrs Lund had a row with them.
"It was a stupid thing to do, but I was protecting my wife," he said. Major Jean-Claude van Batten, who led the police investigation, said inconsistencies in Lund's account of events led them to suspect him.
His brother, Neville, said he could not believe he had killed Evelyn. The officer said Mr Lund took two journalists to the remote spot on Lake Bancalie where his wife's car was found, despite claiming he had never been there.
"It's not in his nature - he's a pacifist," he said. But Mr Lund claims the officer was prejudiced against him.
"For them there was no one else, no other possibility. It was me," Mr Lund said.
The case continues.The case continues.