The first-degree murder trial of Dean Penney, a man from St.Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador, has reached its closing arguments.The Crown alleges that Penney killed his estranged wife, Jennifer Hillier-Penney, on November 30, 2016, motivated by jealousy after she left him.

Prosecutor Shawn Patten detailed Penney’s confessions to undercover officers posing as members of a criminal group, highlighting how he described bludgeoning his wife with a hammer, wrapping her head to prevent blood spillage, and disposing of her body in the ocean.The Crown argued that Penney’s confessions were credible and that inconsistencies in his accounts were due to initial paranoia and caution.DNA evidence found high in the garage and Penney’s own actions were cited to support the Crown’s claims.

The defence, represented by Jeff Brace, argued that Penney’s confession was coerced by the RCMP and pointed to financial struggles and police handling of an alternative suspect, Jennifer’s late cousin Derick Hillier, as reasons to doubt his guilt.The jury is set to receive final instructions from Justice Vikas Khaladkar before deliberating.The trial has sparked attention due to the alleged manipulation of Penney by law enforcement and the seriousness of the charges.