
Accused of masterminding the gruesome scheme to feed her former lover to an industrial woodchipper, Sharon Graham is standing trial at Brisbane’s Supreme Court. It’s alleged that six years prior, in the locality of Goomboorian near Gympie, she orchestrated the devastating murder of Bruce Saunders.
The prosecution argues that two of Graham’s associates, Gregory Roser and Peter Koenig, were responsible for the disposal of Mr Saunders’ remains using the woodchipper. Graham, believed to be the main conspirator of the sinister murder plot, has formally pleaded not guilty.
A series of covert recordings from 2018 were played in the courtroom on Monday, providing some insight into the prime suspect’s reactions after the crime. On these tapes, Graham can be heard admonishing Roser and Koenig, expressing disappointment as their accounts of the event differed.
Her conversations with the men reveal that the trio’s narratives are not aligning, feeding the prosecution’s case. She is heard in one instance pleading with Roser, “I hope you haven’t gone against him”. Roser, maintaining his loyalty, insists, “I have not, I’ve stuck up for him the whole week.”
Crown prosecutor Todd Fuller has presented to the jury the alleged violent nature of Mr Saunders’ death. He was reportedly struck on the head with a metal bar by Roser before being placed into the woodchipper by both Roser and Koenig. The grim details include the fact that only Mr Saunders’ legs remained intact.
The prosecution contends that romance between Graham and these men, at different points in time, enabled her to manipulate them into executing the murder. It is further alleged that Graham would inherit a $750,000 life insurance policy and the contents of Mr Saunders’ will.
Graham’s defense, however, argues otherwise. Graham’s attorney, Peter Richards, claims that his client did not guide or arrange for the other men to kill Saunders. He presented Graham’s belief that Mr Saunders tragically died in an accident.
In the same covert recording, Graham reads aloud a concerning message from Koenig and reassures Roser that she’s merely relaying his words, not blaming him. “That means they’ve told Peter you have said ‘blah blah blah blah blah’ and Peter’s gone ‘that ain’t true’.”
Koenig has previously testified about Graham’s repeated requests to him and Roser to kill Saunders during their planned woodland work, staged over three weekends. This included chillingly detailed evidence suggesting Roser brutally hit Saunders over the head before asking Koenig for assistance to carry the incapacitated man to the woodchipper.
During a recorded police interview played in court, Koenig revealed his last memory of seeing Saunders actively working on the woodchipper. This was before he heard Roser call out in alarm, “Bruce, Bruce.” It’s noted that Koenig was rigorously questioned about blood droplets found on the machine, prompting an inquiry into a potential “altercation” preceding Saunders’ horrifying death.