Court Hears Of Life Policy Bid
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday July 14, 2004
A MUSWELLBROOK mother of three accused of murdering her husband tried to take out an accidental-death insurance policy in his name after ensuring it covered being "shot, killed", a court heard yesterday.
A taped recording of the conversation between Michelle Willard, 37, and a Westpac telephonist was played in Newcastle Supreme Court.Willard has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her husband, Michael Willard, 38, who was shot dead in their family home on February 22 last year.The court heard that Willard tried to take out an insurance policy for both herself and her husband 17 days before he was killed."I thought I should do one for both of us, you never know," Willard says in the recorded conversation.Westpac Life Insurance manager David Spillane told the court it was routine for telephone conversations to be recorded when they involved the taking on of a risk.He said Willard had been sent a brochure, letter and accidental-death insurance policy application form by the bank as part of a marketing program.He confirmed that Willard had used the telephone number provided to speak to a sales consultant, whom she asked for details about the claims process."What happens if something happens in a couple of days?" Willard is heard to ask.And later: "If something happens, how long will all that take?"Willard is then heard to take out a $200,000 insurance policy in her own name after being told her husband would have to verbally approve a policy in his name.Willard called back the same day and handed the phone over to a man who identified himself as Michael Willard and approved a second policy in his name also for $200,000 the court heard.In other evidence, forensic pathologist Kevin Lee told the court the weapon used to kill Mr Willard was likely to have been a rifle "sawn off in an amateurish manner".He said it was likely that the gun had been held against Mr Willard's head as it was fired. The trial continues.
© 2004 Newcastle Herald