Prosecutor John Ransom sums up in Natalie Maher murder trial

Ms Maher has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her 71-year-old mother in Keane Street at South Launceston on October 3, 2019.

The defence has suggested alternatives including suicide, natural causes or the involvement of an unknown person.

READ MORE: Missing WA girl Cleo Smith has been found

The summing up in the circumstantial case comes at the end of a three-and-a-half week trial.

Mr Ransom said that a DNA result of a pillow was consistent with somebody holding the pillow over the deceased's head around the edges.

The trial heard that the DNA result from the pillow had two contributors, Ms Corstorphine, 100 billion in favour and Ms Maher 9.3 billion in favour.

Mr Ransom said that post offence conduct by Ms Maher came from a consciousness of guilt.

READ MORE: How you can help Tasmania's most vulnerable at Christmas

The conduct included leaving Tasmania for Western Australia at 7am on October 5, 2019; using Ms Corstorphine's credit card to buy airline tickets; moving $11,000 from her mother's bank account into her own account; taking jewellery, including a distinctive $5000 brooch and a cross, when she left; and taking Ms Corstorphine's mobile phone.

"The Crown says the taking of the mobile phone was to monitor inquiries about Veronica's welfare and cover up the crime, which the accused has no explanation," Mr Ransom said.

Of the movement of funds he said:" Natalie Maher was moving the funds into her own account and she knew she wouldn't be stopped because she had already killed her mother."

READ MORE: Another Mayfield home ravaged by fire

He said that the expert evidence of State forensic pathologist Donald Ritchey was that the death of Ms Corstorphine appeared to involve the involvement of a third party.

Mr Ransom said Dr Ritchey came to his conclusion after conducting an autopsy and viewing body worn camera footage taken by police.

He said the arm position of Ms Corstorphine, her oblique position across the bed, being fully clothed and having a pillow across her face was not inconsistent with the Crown case.

READ MORE: Call to clear up who pays for 'expensive' traveller test

Mr Ransom said the motive was that Veronica had had enough of Ms Maher at her home and had asked her to go.

"The accused blame her mother for her life circumstances and she also found out that Veronica was informing others about what was happening at Keane St," he said.

Mr Ransom detailed a text message that Ms Corstorphine sent her friend Dale Mason on October 2 : "If I die in one of her drunken rages, so be it. I would rather go out on my own choice."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: