Dongara man accused of attempted murder ‘may have acted involuntarily’

A Dongara man accused of trying to murder his partner in a frenzied stabbing attack after she formed a relationship with another man may have acted involuntarily, a Supreme Court jury has been told.

Lawyer David McKenzie, in his opening address in Geraldton today, said Kim Ashley Prunster may have suffered from a psychological phenomenon known as dissociation during the November 12, 2017, attack.

He said if this was the case, then Mr Prunster’s actions were involuntary and not a willed act.

Mr Prunster is accused of attempted murder after he stabbed Amanda Gibbons in the couple’s bedroom with a serrated kitchen steak knife, causing severe injuries.

Prosecutor Nicholas Cogin said the State would allege Mr Prunster’s world fell to pieces when his partner of 34 years went off to live with another man and that Mr Prunster decided he was going to kill Amanda Gibbons and himself.

The trial before Justice Stephen Hall continues.