Closing arguments are over in Goderich in the trial for Anthony Terpstra and Serena Benninger, accused of counselling and conspiracy to commit murder.
Benninger’s lawyer Phil Cornish started Monday by saying she was pushed by Tony Terpstra to continue the plot and try to find a hitman.
Cornish says Serena merely discussed the plot but never agreed to any serious planning and it was Tony who made all the decisions about what to do.
Cornish said Serena was merely a scapegoat for Tony and just went along to make him happy.
Meanwhile, Terpstra’s lawyer David Humphrey says it was Serena who was in charge the entire time, and Tony kept trying to delay the plot.
Humphrey says Tony was only humouring Serena in talking about having Sheila killed and Serena even asked Tony for the money to pay for the hit.
Humphrey says Tony was planning on calling the hit off all along and so when he initially agreed to have Sheila killed, it was because he knew he would back out later.
The Crown is trying to prove both Serena and Tony are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and Attorney Bob Morris says both of them had many opportunities to back out of the plot but never did.
Morris says both of the accused gave money, pictures of Sheila and her car and prepared themselves to be ready in case the undercover officer called and told them Sheila was dead.
Morris said Serena and Tony enjoyed a secret relationship for five years and genuinely cared for each other, but it says something that as soon as they were arrested and charged, they blamed each other.
Judge McGarry will give his charge to the jury on Tuesday and then they’ll deliberate and decide the outcome for Serena Benninger and Anthony Terpstra.