Janet Brown murder: Accused man declines to give evidence
A Northumberland man accused of murdering his wealthy lover will not be giving evidence in his own defence, a jury has been told.
Donald Graham is accused of killing Janet Brown, of Hexham, in 2005, concealing her body and then stripping her and her parents' estates.
He admits fraud, but denies murder and perverting the course of justice.
His co-accused, Elizabeth Todd, 51, denies fraud and perverting the course of justice.
The body of Miss Brown, 45, who was a property developer and TV extra, has never been found.
Earlier Miss Todd, who was having an affair Mr Graham at the time, claimed he had duped her into carrying out the fraud, which included forging Miss Brown's sick father's will.
Miss Todd, from Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, and now estranged from Mr Graham, told the court she believed Janet Brown was still alive at the time.
The trial continues.