QLD: Two women for retrial on killing of Cairns prostitute

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-1999
QLD: Two women for retrial on killing of Cairns prostitute

By Suzanne Klotz

BRISBANE, Aug 6 AAP - Two women convicted of murdering a prostitute in far north Queensland
have had their convictions quashed and a new trial ordered.

Kerry Catherine Lowrie and Kerri-Leah Michelle Ross were found guilty of murdering Grace
Madonna Heathcote on July 4, 1995.

They were convicted by a Supreme Court jury on February 26 this year.

The badly beaten body of Ms Heathcote, also known as "Jane", was found in a Cairns motel
room after she had been lured there by Lowrie on the pretence of wanting a massage.

It was alleged that Lowrie, also known as "Skye", did not know Ms Heathcote, but her
friend, Ross, did and held a grudge against her over some unpaid money.

Ms Heathcote's death was caused by a rupture of the heart and a tearing of the liver, part
of which had been "pulped" from being jumped or stamped on with unusual severity.

She had multiple rib fractures, a broken nose and extensive facial and chest lacerations.

It was alleged Heathcote was drugged after valium tablets were crushed into her champagne,
and was then beaten up after she denied owing any money.

The Court of Appeal ordered new trials for both women on the basis that there were "defects
or deficiencies" in the trial proceedings regarding directions given to the jury.

AAP smk/was

KEYWORD: PROSTITUTE

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