Divorce spark for killing, court told

A CLAIRVOYANT accused of murdering his lawyer after the pair fell out over a divorce settlement posted himself bullets from Cambodia before the shooting, a court has heard.

Lawyer David Robinson, 56, was shot dead outside his Fairfield office on the night of July 10, 2006.

John Thomas Glascott, 44, of Kealba, has pleaded not guilty to murdering the father of three.

The Supreme Court heard Mr Glascott blamed Mr Robinson, his long-time lawyer, for losing his home in a divorce settlement.

Prosecutor Geoff Horgan, SC, said Mr Glascott's tension and anxiety over his marital affairs were at the heart of the alleged murder.

"This and other issues had festered in his mind," Mr Horgan told the jury.

The court heard Mr Glascott was unemployed at the time but did work from home as a clairvoyant for his business, Psychic Wisdom.

Mr Horgan said Mr Glascott made two trips to Cambodia in February and May of 2006, allegedly to buy a gun and ammunition.

The first time Customs searched his hand luggage and found a notebook and internet pages relating to a Tokarev pistol, he said.

A couple of months later, Customs searched his home and allegedly found information about ammunition and firearms on his computer.

The court was told Mr Glascott sent himself four envelopes from a hotel in Phnom Penh in Cambodia, each containing a Tokarev bullet, which were seized by Customs in March that year.

Mr Horgan told the court seven bullets, made for a Tokarev gun, were found at the scene of Mr Robinson's alleged murder. The weapon has never been found.

Mr Robinson was killed by a single bullet wound as he investigated damage to his Station St law office about 8.30pm on July 10.

He had taken his son to the office, near their Alphington home, to print out homework.

They found the front door smashed and the office filled with smoke from smouldering papers.

The jury was told Mr Robinson went to the rear to look around. It was the last time his son saw him alive.

It is alleged Mr Glascott confronted Mr Robinson at the back of the office and there was arguing and shouting.

Mr Horgan said a witness would give evidence he saw two men struggling in the rear laneway, followed by shots.

Mr Robinson bled to death before paramedics arrived. His skull was also fractured.

The court heard Mr Robinson had drawn up a divorce agreement and given evidence at Mr Glascott's divorce hearing. But a court overturned the agreement and awarded in favour of his ex-wife, Tina.

Defence barrister Russell Sarah said Mr Glascott was not involved in the killing, and identification was an issue.

Mr Sarah said there was no evidence Mr Glascott confronted Mr Robinson.

The trial before Justice Philip Cummins continues.