Fed: Mother tries suicide after bashing death of daughter

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2007
Fed: Mother tries suicide after bashing death of daughter

By Kate Corbett

CANBERRA, Dec 5 AAP - The mother of a four-year-old girl who was bashed to death in
Canberra has attempted suicide twice and been unable to work since the death two years
ago, a court heard.

Trinaty Monique Howarth died in November 2005 after a brutal assault with a saucepan
and stick in the back of a car.

Her mother's partner Darren Lee Cassidy was originally charged with Trinaty's murder,
but has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Cassidy was due to be sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court today but a decision was adjourned
until tomorrow morning as the pre-sentencing hearing went on longer than expected.

In court today, statements were read from Trinaty's mother, Alicia Wilson, and her
maternal grandmother, while her paternal grandmother gave evidence, as did Cassidy's step-sister
and a psychiatrist.

Ms Wilson said her world fell apart after her daughter's death.

She became delusional and started drinking two bottles of vodka a day and, unable to
eat or sleep, dropped into a deep depression and tried to commit suicide twice.

"Trinaty was my soulmate, we did everything together, even slept together. She was
my best friend," the statement said.

"My life will never be the same."

Still severely affected by Trinaty's death, Ms Wilson said she still cannot work or
go out socially, as she feels as if people are judging her.

Ms Wilson said she felt let down by Cassidy and "very bitter" about what he allegedly
did to Trinaty.

Both of Trinaty's grandmothers detailed how heartbroken their families were from the
loss and how it had pulled family ties apart.

Cassidy's step-sister Leanne Joy Payne also detailed their tough upbringing, much of
which was due to their treatment by his father.

"I describe him (Cassidy's father) as an animal - he beat us regularly, he beat my
mum regularly," she told the court.

Ms Payne told of instances where Mr Cassidy had held a pillow over his son's face and
tied a rope around his neck.

"When I heard what happened to Trinaty I blamed his father," she said.

"When we were growing up his father had been this close to doing that to us and no-one
did anything."

The court also heard from psychiatrist Daniel Bonner, who treated Cassidy during the
first year he was in prison.

Dr Bonner diagnosed Cassidy with bipolar disorder and said he had serious substance
abuse problems and a borderline personality disorder.

But he said Cassidy responded well to treatment and said it was highly unlikely that
his illness would have been a major contributor in Trinaty's death.

Dr Bonner said it was important that Cassidy control his illness and treat it effectively.

The matter resumes at 9.30am (AEDT) tomorrow.

AAP kc/sb/sp

KEYWORD: CASSIDY

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