The mobile telephone of alleged murder victim Veronica Corstorphine was transported to Western Australia, a Supreme Court jury heard.
The evidence came in the trial of Natalie Maher who has pleaded not guilty to murdering her mother on October 3, 2019 at Keane Street at South Launceston.
The jury heard evidence about the telephone records of Ms Corstorphine, Ms Maher and family friend Dale Mason from experts from Telstra, Vodafone and Tasmania Police Senior Constable Tracey Lincoln.
The Crown alleges Ms Maher smothered her mother with a pillow before leaving Tasmania for WA on October 5, 2019.
The jury heard that Ms Corstorphine's mobile phone made contact with a number of mobile phone towers between Tasmania and Western Australia on October 5.
Telstra expert Jason Betts said Ms Corstorphine's mobile phone last connected with a base station in Tasmania at Breadalbane about 6.59 am.
He said that mobile phones searched for a tower with the strongest connection.
The signal could vary for a variety of reasons including topography and congestion on the network.
He said that if a person used a phone while they were driving on the Midland highway it may connect with several towers on a trip to Hobart.
He said Ms Corstorphine's phone connected with towers in Victoria one and half hours later, Mt Gambier South Australia about three hours later and then in WA including Perth Airport and an area called Lakelands.
He said the phone first connected in WA at 10.16am (WA time). The Crown alleges that Ms Maher's mobile phone and Ms Corstorphine's mobile phone were on the same aeroplane from Tasmania to WA.
Defence counsel Evan Hughes cross examined Mr Betts about whether a phone on a flight would be able to connect with towers on the ground.
"It's a possibility but unlikely, correct?" Mr Hughes asked. "Correct," Mr Betts said.
Senior Constable Lincoln said that Ms Corstorphine's phone was in WA on October 6 about 1pm, but that was the last connection.
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She said that Ms Maher's phone had attempted to send text messages to Ms Corstorphine's phone on October 14 and 23, but they were undelivered.
The jury has heard that Ms Corstorphine's body was not found until October 29.
Senior Constable Lincoln said Ms Maher's phone was in Bunbury on October 6.
Mr Hughes cross examined Senior Constable Lincoln about the fact that Ms Maher's and Ms Corstorphine's phones did not connect with exactly the same towers between Tasmania and WA.
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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.
