West Mersea murder accused knew right from wrong, jury told

Stephen and Carol Baxter were discovered unresponsive at their seaside home in April 2023

A man accused of fatally poisoning a married couple with the painkiller fentanyl has a "good sense of what's right and wrong", a trial has heard.

Prosecutors say Luke D'Wit murdered Stephen Baxter, 61, and wife Carol, 64, and rewrote their will to make him a director of their shower mat business.

The couple were found dead at their home in West Mersea, Essex, by their daughter on Easter Sunday in 2023.

The IT worker, from West Mersea, is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Heidi Cornish, a character witness for the defence, told jurors she had known the 34-year-old defendant for "about 14 years" and recalled when he first took part in a meeting of the Mersea carnival association.

She said he helped at a soup kitchen and added: "He loves to be involved where people need help."

Mr D'Wit had a "good sense of what's right and wrong", she said.

Mr and Mrs Baxters' son-in-law Andrew Culver, who is married to one of Mrs Baxter's daughters, Rachel, also gave evidence.

Mr Culver, who was assisted in court by a sign language interpreter, said he was asked to be an executor of the Baxters' will in about late 2021 to early 2022.

He was asked by Adam Davis KC, defending, about his impression of the couple's daughter Ellie Baxter after their death.

She was initially arrested on suspicion of her parents' murder, but was later released without charge.

"It seemed to me she was more focused on property and money rather than 'oh I miss you mum and dad', as this was someone who had lost both their parents," he said.

Ellie Baxter was initially arrested on suspicion of her parents' murder

Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC asked Mr Culver about conversations with Ellie Baxter, in which he was seeking details about a solicitor, and said to the witness: "Ellie was telling you there was a solicitor but she didn't know the details did she, which was why you were texting Mr D'Wit to ask for them?"

Mr Culver responded: "Ellie told me Luke had the details, so I texted Luke on the back of that conversation."

Earlier in the trial, the jury was told the defendant had "rewritten their will and stolen Carol's jewellery, among many other things, to benefit from their deaths".

The trial is due to resume on Friday.

The couple were found dead in the conservatory by their daughter Ellie Baxter

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