Key Takeaways:
- Rajwinder Singh, a former nurse, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley in Far North Queensland.
- The Crown prosecution argues that Singh’s hurried departure from Australia, leaving behind his family, was a desperate attempt to avoid detection.
- The case relies on circumstantial evidence, including DNA found at the crime scene and the movement of Singh’s car and Cordingley’s phone.
- The prosecution claims that Singh’s actions after the murder, including disposing of Cordingley’s possessions and avoiding detection, demonstrate his guilt.
- The defence will argue that there are other possible explanations for the murder and that the police investigation may have missed crucial evidence.
Introduction to the Case
The trial of Rajwinder Singh, a former nurse accused of murdering 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, has begun in the Supreme Court in Cairns. The prosecution, led by Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane, has presented its case against Singh, who has pleaded not guilty to the crime. The court has heard evidence from over 80 witnesses across three weeks, and the prosecution has relied on a series of circumstantial facts to prove its case. The jury has been presented with a complex and detailed account of the events surrounding Cordingley’s death, and must now consider the evidence to determine Singh’s guilt or innocence.
The Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution’s case against Singh is built around the circumstances of his departure from Australia, which the Crown argues was a desperate attempt to avoid detection. Singh left behind his wife and three young children, who were financially dependent on him, and did not contact them or provide for their well-being during his time in India. The prosecution claims that this behavior is inconsistent with the actions of an innocent man, and demonstrates Singh’s guilt. The Crown has also presented evidence of Singh’s DNA found at the crime scene, as well as the movement of his car and Cordingley’s phone, which suggests that Singh was involved in the murder.
The Significance of DNA Evidence
The DNA evidence presented in the case is a crucial piece of the prosecution’s argument. The court has heard that it is 3.7 billion times more likely than not that Singh’s DNA was present at the crime scene, where Cordingley’s body was found buried in sand. The prosecution argues that this evidence, combined with the other circumstantial facts, proves Singh’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the defence may argue that the DNA evidence is not conclusive, and that there are other possible explanations for its presence at the crime scene.
The Defence’s Strategy
The defence, led by barrister Greg McGuire KC, will argue that there are other possible explanations for the murder, and that the police investigation may have missed crucial evidence. The defence may point to the presence of other individuals in the area who have histories of violence or mental illness, and argue that these individuals may have been responsible for the crime. The defence may also challenge the reliability of the DNA evidence, and argue that it is not sufficient to prove Singh’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Role of the Jury
The jury in the case has a critical role to play in determining Singh’s guilt or innocence. The prosecution has presented a complex and detailed account of the events surrounding Cordingley’s death, and the jury must carefully consider the evidence to reach a verdict. The jury has been instructed to ignore "silly things that people say" and focus solely on the evidence presented at trial. The jury must also consider the credibility of the witnesses, including Singh’s family members and the police officers who investigated the crime.
Conclusion
The trial of Rajwinder Singh is a complex and challenging case, with a large amount of evidence to consider. The prosecution has presented a strong case against Singh, but the defence will argue that there are other possible explanations for the murder. The jury must carefully consider the evidence and reach a verdict based on the facts presented in court. The outcome of the trial will have significant consequences for Singh and his family, and will bring closure to the family of Toyah Cordingley, who have waited for justice for over four years.
