The Crown has completed its evidence at the trial of Michael Preston, accused of murdering his estranged wife Mei Fan at her Wellington home in November 2013.
Michael Preston was today in the High Court in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Nicole Bourke, who analysed Mr Preston's telephone and text communications, was one of the final Crown witnesses to give evidence today in the High Court in Wellington.
She read from various texts he sent to his daughters in which he spoke about how much stress he was under towards the end of 2013.
In a text message to one daughter on 27 December 2013, Mr Preston said he didn't want to listen to his other daughter talk about how great his sister was.
"I would rather go back to New Zealand and plot my sister's death," he replied.
A day later, he texted someone else, saying, "Two years is too much. I'm not prepared to let her have my kids for that long. She'll pay dearly for this."
In another communication, Mr Preston said, "Do you really think the cops want more bodies on their hands?"
Mr Preston's lawyers indicated this afternoon that they would not be calling any defence witnesses.
The Crown and Mr Preston's defence will give closing addresses on Friday, with Justice Williams expected to sum up the case for the jury on Monday.