When Michael McGrath sought treatment for anxiety and depression, he listed David Benbow as one of the key support people in his life. Benbow is now accused of murdering him.
It's the second week of the murder trial in the Christchurch High Court. Benbow is accused of murdering McGrath who went missing in May 2017. Neither his body nor a murder weapon have ever been found.
Benbow's ex-partner of 17 years Joanna Green continued her evidence on Monday, being cross-examined by Benbow's lawyers. The Crown says McGrath's relationship with Green was the catalyst for the murder.
Benbow's lawyers are painting a picture of McGrath as someone who lived outside of societal norms and who suffered with anxiety and depression.
He sought treatment five years before he went missing but his family say he was happy and settled at the time the Crown alleges Benbow murdered him. Benbow's lawyer Kathy Basire said in McGrath's therapy notes he listed family and "a couple he's close to" as the key support people in his life.
Green said today she had been friends with McGrath for many years, meeting him through Benbow.
She became emotional when talking about her friendship with Michael McGrath and said he could talk to her about anything. She also said she supported him through his unhappy period. But Green says she only started a romantic relationship with McGrath after she left Benbow.
The trial continues.
