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Baden-Clay murder trial nearing its end

Allison and Gerard Baden-Clay on their wedding day.

The trial of Gerard Baden-Clay for the murder of his wife, Allison, is nearing its end.

Today is the 15th day, and all the evidence, for and against, has been given.

The Crown will this morning sum up its arguments; and the defence will do the same.

Then it will fall to Justice John Byrne to give directions to the jury.

Gerard has been present in court for 15 days.

He gave evidence on four of those days, sometimes through tears, and sometimes appearing confident and self-assured.

When the Crown said: “You killed your wife” he reacted immediately, saying: “I did not.”

Gerard has told the court that he last saw Allison, with whom he had three daughters, sitting on the couch in the lounge room of their Brookfield, Queensland, home on the evening of April 19, 2012.

She was wearing what she normally wore for bed.

Gerard says he retired early. He says Allison kept his mobile phone because he had been having an affair, and one of the conditions of her forgiveness that she be able to monitor incoming calls and texts.

Related: Baden-clay: the murder that rocked Australia 

Gerard had told Allison the affair, with a woman from his office called Toni McHugh, was over, but it was not over.

Gerard has told the court he woke early on April 20, to find his wife gone.

Her body was found 12 days later, under the Kholo Creek bridge.

Gerard says Allison had a long history of depression, triggered by anti-malarial medication, and exacerbated by the birth of their three daughters.

The Crown says Gerard killed Allison.

His face, the day after she disappeared, was marked by scratches that he says were caused by shaving.

Her blood was found in their car.

Leaves from trees in their garden were found in her hair.

A verdict is expected by the week’s end.

Related: An open letter from Allison Baden-Clay’s family

Caroline Overington will Tweet the hearing live from the courthouse from 10am today @overingtonc

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