A WATER polo champion accused of murdering her newborn baby probably used a fire escape to slip out of the hospital with her child, a jury has been told.
Mark Tedeschi QC, for the crown, said Keli Lane left the hospital without completing all the formalities as she was under pressure to attend a wedding that afternoon.
He said Ms Lane had been in a “dire dilemma” and needed to “dispose” of the baby before going to the wedding – an event she needed to attend as people would have asked questions if she did not go. Mr Tedeschi was continuing the crown opening address in the NSW Supreme Court today at the trial of Ms Lane, 35, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Tegan Lane.
The Crown alleges Ms Lane murdered Tegan after taking her from Auburn Hospital, in Sydney’s west, when she was only two days old on September 14, 1996.
Mr Tedeschi said Ms Lane had hidden the pregnancy from her boyfriend, family and friends and two weeks before the birth signed a teaching employment contract, a job due to start on October 9, 1996.
“The Crown case is that this new employment shows only too well the accused never had any intention of taking Tegan home with her,” he said. “Of course, the fact she hid her pregnancy and labour shows she had no intention of taking Tegan home.” Mr Tedeschi said Ms Lane had gone to Ryde Hospital three times before attending Auburn Hospital.
“On three occasions she attempted to convince the hospital to induce her birth in time so she could get to the wedding,” he said. “She was under extreme pressure to have the baby before the wedding,” he added.
The trial was continuing before Justice Anthony Whealy.
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