A Green Party candidate standing for election to Colchester City Council told a murder trial that a man later convicted of two killings possessed a 'good sense of right and wrong,' according to revelations by the Daily Mail.
Character Witness for a Convicted Murderer
Heidi Cornish, who is running in the Mersea and Pyefleet ward, served as a character witness for Luke D'Wit, aged 36, during his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. D'Wit faced charges for the murders of Carol and Stephen Baxter in Essex in 2023, a crime for which he was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to a minimum of 37 years in prison.
Details of the Gruesome Crime
The court determined that D'Wit, an IT worker, had poisoned the couple by slipping a lethal dose of fentanyl into their drinks. He then planted a forged will at their home, which fraudulently appointed him as a director in the Baxters' shower mat business. D'Wit had meticulously ingratiated himself with the victims, accompanying Mrs. Baxter on walks and preparing healthy smoothies for her at their West Mersea residence.
In a disturbing twist, he even impersonated an American doctor online, offering Mrs. Baxter medical advice and support for a health condition while simultaneously lacing her beverages with drugs that worsened her condition.
Cornish's Controversial Testimony
Despite these heinous acts, Ms. Cornish informed the jury that D'Wit 'loves to be involved where people need him' and 'has a good sense of right and wrong.' She stated she had known D'Wit for approximately 14 years, recalling his involvement with the Mersea Carnival Association and his volunteer work at a soup kitchen.
Reactions from the Victims' Circle
Ellie Baxter, the daughter of the murdered couple, expressed shock upon learning that Ms. Cornish is a political candidate in her late parents' town. She remarked, 'I don't know her personally, but I was shocked to see that, I must say.'
Neighbors of the Baxters also voiced strong criticism. One neighbor stated, 'I could not trust her judgment now. It was her opinion and she got it wrong. You would think someone who wants to be a politician, someone who wants to take responsibility for us individuals, would know what they were talking about. You do not go off spouting things if you are not 100 per cent certain.'
Stanley Burton, an 81-year-old resident living nearby, concurred that Ms. Cornish had demonstrated a 'lack of judgment' by providing the character reference. He added, 'Would-be politicians should look more in depth into anything and should scrutinise things.'
Further Controversial Actions
Months after D'Wit's trial, Ms. Cornish appeared to endorse a Covid lab leak conspiracy theory on Facebook. She posted, 'It was clear from day one that the wet market with selling bats as food was just the scapegoat...'
Political Fallout and Party Response
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake commented, 'The Greens keep attracting candidates who raise serious questions about their judgment. Colchester residents deserve better than a candidate whose character judgment is this badly wrong.'
The Green Party has confirmed that Ms. Cornish provided a character witness statement for D'Wit, though no further details were disclosed regarding internal reviews or potential disciplinary actions.
