The court has heard about the lives of Cory Jefferies and Kim Richmond as the trial into her death begins.
Opening statements have been delivered by both Crown prosecutor Mr Ross Douch and defence counsel Mr Thomas Sutcliffe.
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Mr Sutcliffe says the accused Cory Jefferies admits to the manslaughter of Ms Richmond on the night of July 31st 2016, but not the murder.
He says it is up to the jury to determine whether or not there was murderous intent behind the killing.
The defence accepts the couple of 26 years had been going through some difficult times in 2016.
Crown prosecutor Mr Douch says Ms Richmond had entered into an intimate relationship with their neighbour Alfons Te Brake.
He says when Jefferies found out about the relationship, he confronted Mr Te Brake, telling him: "I just want to f**king kill the bitch".
Prosecution says cause of death cannot be determined due to the 10 months Ms Richmond spent submerged in the lake.
Mr Douch says using Fitbit and cell phone data they've managed to track the couple's movements on the night of the murder.
He says while Ms Richmond's cell phone remained at the lake, Mr Jefferies moved slowly, at walking pace, back towards their home address.
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