A 70-year-old Cairns man has been sentenced to life in prison for the manslaughter of his wife, whose body he dissolved in acid. Klaus Andres was found guilty in the Supreme Court in Cairns on Tuesday, after a jury rejected his claims that he killed his wife, Li Ping Cao, in self-defence.
Andres admitted to disposing of Ms Cao's body with hydrochloric acid in October 2011, but pleaded not guilty to murder. The court heard that Andres's personality and judgment had been affected by the loss of his first wife in 2006, but that he had shown no remorse over Ms Cao's death.
Justice Jim Henry said what actually happened remains unknown because Andres destroyed the evidence. He noted an element of premeditation and described Andres's behaviour after the event as one of clinical detachment.
During the trial, Andres claimed Ms Cao attacked him with a fork after learning of his affair, and that he pushed her, causing her to fall and lose consciousness. He said he later found her without a pulse and not breathing.
The next morning, he placed her body in a wheelie bin, bought 20 litres of hydrochloric acid, and poured it in. Neighbours, forensic experts, and Andres's Thai mistress testified during the trial.
Outside court, the victim's sister, Li Huan Cao, thanked the Australian legal system and police for delivering justice. 'Now she finally can bring the justice back and let her sister's soul rest in peace,' she said.
