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Melbourne lake tragedy: Akon Guode allegedly told witness she caused children's deaths Melbourne lake tragedy: Akon Guode allegedly told witness she caused children's deaths
(about 1 month later)
A woman who allegedly heard a mother admit she caused the deaths of three children by driving into a Melbourne lake is under pressure not to give evidence, a court has heard.A woman who allegedly heard a mother admit she caused the deaths of three children by driving into a Melbourne lake is under pressure not to give evidence, a court has heard.
Akon Guode, 37, is accused of murdering her one-year-old son and four-year-old twins and attempting to murder her six-year-old daughter, who survived when Guode’s car crashed into a Wyndham Vale lake in April last year.Akon Guode, 37, is accused of murdering her one-year-old son and four-year-old twins and attempting to murder her six-year-old daughter, who survived when Guode’s car crashed into a Wyndham Vale lake in April last year.
A witness has come forward with information about Guode’s alleged motive but is under pressure from the Sudanese community not to give evidence, the Melbourne magistrates court heard on Tuesday.A witness has come forward with information about Guode’s alleged motive but is under pressure from the Sudanese community not to give evidence, the Melbourne magistrates court heard on Tuesday.
“The witness has indicated a reluctance to be involved on the basis of phone calls received,” the crown prosecutor told the committal hearing.“The witness has indicated a reluctance to be involved on the basis of phone calls received,” the crown prosecutor told the committal hearing.
Detective Senior Constable Dustin Sheppard said the woman gave a statement to police last week during a break in Guode’s committal hearing.Detective Senior Constable Dustin Sheppard said the woman gave a statement to police last week during a break in Guode’s committal hearing.
Related: Mother charged with murder drove 'full bolt' into lake, prosecutors say
Magistrate Carolene Gwynn described the new witness as “crucial” to the prosecution case. “She is just about the most important witness so far,” she said.Magistrate Carolene Gwynn described the new witness as “crucial” to the prosecution case. “She is just about the most important witness so far,” she said.
A resident who saw Guode’s car enter the lake told the court on Tuesday he heard her car accelerate after it was in the water. “It was continuous,” Richard Allman said.A resident who saw Guode’s car enter the lake told the court on Tuesday he heard her car accelerate after it was in the water. “It was continuous,” Richard Allman said.
Allman told a triple-0 operator he did not think anyone in the car was in danger because the water only reached the bottom of the door, according to a police statement tendered in court.Allman told a triple-0 operator he did not think anyone in the car was in danger because the water only reached the bottom of the door, according to a police statement tendered in court.
But by the time he had driven from his home to the other side of the lake where he had seen the car enter the lake, it was between 10 to 20 metres further into the water.But by the time he had driven from his home to the other side of the lake where he had seen the car enter the lake, it was between 10 to 20 metres further into the water.
A collision investigator had previously told Guode’s committal hearing he believed the car was deliberately driven into the water.A collision investigator had previously told Guode’s committal hearing he believed the car was deliberately driven into the water.
Victoria police collision investigator and civil engineer Detective Senior Constable Robert Hay said re-enactments and skid tests showed the car could not have drifted off the road.Victoria police collision investigator and civil engineer Detective Senior Constable Robert Hay said re-enactments and skid tests showed the car could not have drifted off the road.
His report said a driver would have had to turn the steering wheel three times to get to the banks of Manor Lakes from the road next to it.His report said a driver would have had to turn the steering wheel three times to get to the banks of Manor Lakes from the road next to it.
Guode says a dizzy spell caused the tragedy and family members have given evidence at her committal hearing about the headaches she experienced before the crash.Guode says a dizzy spell caused the tragedy and family members have given evidence at her committal hearing about the headaches she experienced before the crash.
The committal hearing will resume on 29 July.The committal hearing will resume on 29 July.