Alleged murder victim Veronica Corstorphine believed that she may have been in danger of dying in one of her daughter's drunken rampages, a Supreme Court jury heard.
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The sentiment was conveyed in a text message sent by Ms Corstorphine the day before her alleged murder to a friend Dale Mason in October 2019.
Natalie Maher, 48, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Veronica Corstorphine on October 3, 2019.
The Crown alleges Ms Maher smothered her mother with a pillow at her home in Keane St West South Launceston before leaving for Western Australia on October 5.
Defence counsel Evan Hughes has suggested Ms Corstorphine died from natural causes, suicide or when a burglar broke into the house.
Dr Mason told the jury that Ms Corstorphine was his dearest friend, closest confidante, and long-time muse.
He said that he last spoke to her on September 26, 2019.
Dr Mason told crown prosecutor John Ransom that Ms Corstorphine told him that they frequently discussed Ms Maher.
"In the course of the discussion did she discuss Natalie Maher's financial contribution?" he asked.
"Yes," he said.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"She was not contributing anything," Dr Mason said.
He asked if Ms Maher's drinking was discussed.
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"Yes, she said she would get drunk all the time ... she said that she was constantly abusive and quite vitriolic," Dr Mason said.
He gave evidence of text messages on October 2 at 1.09am and 1.12am.
In the message, Ms Corstorphine wrote of Ms Maher's "maniac behaviour".
"If I die in one of her drunken rampages so be it. I prefer to go out on my own choice," the message said.
The message also referred to Ms Maher's behaviour under the influence of alcohol being "evocative of her father".
She said Ms Maher had arrived home paralytic.
"She's self destructive, so sad and angry," Ms Corstorphinbe wrote.
She said that she was dropping weight because of the stress.
She said that Ms Maher was delightful in many ways when she wasn't drinking.
"It's so sad to watch her binge drinking," she said.
Ms Corstorphine said in the text that she was terrified of her [Ms Maher] drunk and that she was living on the edge.
Dr Mason said that he had replied the next day with a card and a present but it was never opened.
He said that he had left a message on Ms Corstorphine's phone about 8pm on October 3.
"Did you ring again?" Mr Ransom asked.
"I texted an hour later to say 'just touching base, I trust all is okay'," he said.
He said he got a return call from Ms Maher within seconds.
"Did you request to speak to Veronica?" Mr Ransom asked.
"She said 'Mum's in bed'," Dr Mason said.
"Did you discuss whether Natalie was staying," he asked.
"She said 'I'm leaving in a couple of days'," Dr Mason said.
Dr Mason said that he was not aware until police told him that he was to be a beneficiary of Ms Corstorphine's will.
The jury has heard that Dr Mason was the executor of the will to which Ms Maher was also to be a beneficiary.
Under cross-examination by Mr Hughes, Dr Mason said he had been mistaken about a couple of the dates of the final calls because his phone had been handed to Queensland Police.
Mr Hughes asked Dr Mason whether Ms Corstorphine had ever talked about suicide.
"Absolutely not," he said.
Mr Hughes asked him if he had told detective sergeant Bob Baker that Ms Corstorphine had said in a flippant way "I would use Tomazapan so no one will have to worry about me".
Dr Mason said similar words had been said in his presence.
"I would chide her about it actually," he said.
The jury saw footage of a seizure of goods from a Bunbury hotel room where Ms Maher was staying on November 7, 2019.
Ms Maher told police that a bluestone brooch belonging to her mother was to be given to her daughter as a graduation present.
The jury heard last week that the brooch was valued at $5000.
The trial before Justice Robert Pearce continues on Monday afternoon.
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Nick Clark
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
I am the Supreme and Magistrates Court reporter for the Examiner for the past 18 months. My journalism career has clicked over 30 years and encompasses four different spells at Tasmanian newspapers.
