Trial starts for man accused of murdering Victorian woman Carlee Smith

A trial has commenced for David Douglas McLennan, accused of murdering 48-year-old Carlee Smith in Victoria last year. The 48-year-old victim, also known as Carlee, was found dead by police on May 15, 2025, following a welfare check at a home near Hamilton. McLennan pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. The Crown's case alleges that McLennan killed Smith by strangling her during a violent assault the evening of May 11, 2025.

Smith suffered significant head injuries and twelve rib fractures, while McLennan's DNA was found underneath her fingernails. McLennan and Smith were school friends who had moved into her home in southwest Victoria in October 2023 to help her after her husband's terminal cancer diagnosis. Smith's husband died in September 2024. The prosecution argues that McLennan was in a negative mental state before the alleged murder and that heated arguments had occurred between the two in the lead-up to her death.

McLennan remained in the house for three days after Smith's death, despite encouragement to leave from friends and family. A notebook left at the property contained next of kin contact details and a note expressing McLennan's belief that "there is evil in this house" and that he was "pushed too far." Defense lawyer Rosalind Avis told the jury that while most of the evidence is undisputed, the disputed aspect is whether McLennan intended to kill or seriously injure Smith. The three-week trial before Justice Jane Dixon is ongoing.