Closing arguments were made by both the prosecution and the defence at Portimão courthouse on Monday this week, in what was the final hearing in the trial before sentencing later this month.
The Public Prosecutor’s office accuses Mr. Jackson, 60, of murdering Brenda Davidson as well as desecration of a body, theft, credit card abuse and computer fraud.
Mr. Jackson admits to burying his long-term partner’s body on the property “to fulfil her wishes”, and claims to have left it undisturbed for 40 days and nights due to his religious beliefs.
He denies killing the 72-year-old animal lover, saying he found her dead, and believes she committed suicide due to an ongoing battle with cancer.
Speaking during Monday’s hearing the prosecution upheld its convictions.
Dismissing Jackson’s explanation of leaving Ms. Davidson’s body buried for weeks following her death as being due to Quaker beliefs, the prosecution said “it is unthinkable that someone should die at home and their death not be reported.”
In the prosecution’s understanding, Ms. Davidson’s body was “disposed of with total carelessness, without any concern, care or respect”, in a manner of being “hidden quickly.”
The prosecutor also said a large concentration of blood traces found in the villa’s living room contradicts Jackson’s version of suicide.
Concluding, the Public Prosecutor’s office defended the charges brought against the Briton.
Defending, lawyer Rogério Reis argued “Mr. Jackson had nothing to gain with Brenda’s death.”
He said there is no “irrefutable evidence” to prove Jackson did kill Ms. Davidson, and that no one can be convicted without it.
He said what has been brought forward “is not incompatible with suicide” and that ultimately, his client does not know how Ms. Davidson died. He also argued that Mr. Jackson had the chance to flee Portugal, but didn’t.
Addressing the undisclosed burial of the British woman in the backyard of the villa, Dr. Reis said “it may seem foolish to some, but there is no reason in faith.”
Claiming that, as certain details remain unproven, the defence believes Mr. Jackson should be acquitted of all charges with the exception of desecration of a body, but that his client should be given a “special attenuation” with regards to that particular charge, seeing as he confessed to the burial.
The sentencing will take place on 28 January.
Trial of British expat who buried partner in garden nears end
in Algarve · 14 Jan 2016, 13:54 · 0 Comments