Chilling words a husband is accused of saying after he allegedly murdered his wife by burning their house down – with a neighbour desperately hosing her down to try and save her life
- Roland Griffiths charged with wife’s death
- Court heard he tried to kiss her and apologise
A man who allegedly murdered his wife by setting the couple’s house alight confessed his love for her and apologised in the incident’s aftermath, a court has been told.
Kylie Griffiths, 36, allegedly died as a result of burns when her home in Albanvale in Melbourne‘s north-west was set on fire on March 14 last year. Her husband, Roland James Griffiths, has been charged with murder over her death.
A teenager also suffered serious injuries while there were four other occupants of the house as well at the time.
On the first day of what is scheduled to be a three-day committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, the court on Monday was told that Griffiths’ displayed ‘extreme concern’ for the woman he allegedly murdered as he suffered from his own extreme burns.
Roland Griffiths is accused of murdering his wife, Kylie Griffiths, in an Albanvale fire last year.
Under cross-examination from barrister John Saunders, who is acting for the accused, Constable Brett Seychell confirmed that Mr Griffiths was ‘expressing his love’ for the alleged victim, tried to kiss her and apologised.
Constable Seychell confirmed that Griffiths ‘started to shake’ and tried to ‘get up and leave’ towards the other burns victims.
The court was told that according to his statement, Griffiths turned to a teenager and said ‘it wasn’t supposed to get you’.
The first witness of the morning, Constable Dylan Grenfell from Werribee, said he arrived at the scene to see Ms Griffiths being ‘hosed down’ by a neighbour in a driveway.
Constable Grenfell confirmed he had a conversation with the deceased on a nature strip after the incident.
Mr Griffiths, who appeared in court via video from prison, was largely expressionless throughout the hearing.
Roland James Griffiths was charged with his wife’s murder following the fatal house fire in Albanvale, Melbourne. Pictured are police at the scene a year ago
Firefighter Christopher Watson said in his witness statement that he provided oxygen to Ms Griffiths on his arrival and poured bottled water over her burns, the court was told.
Mr Watson also observed the accused ‘screaming in pain with serious burns to his back and shoulders’, the court was told.
Griffiths spent two months in hospital last year before he was charged with Ms Griffiths’ murder.
The committal hearing continues.
Roland James Griffiths (pictured) allegedly expressed his love for his wife after setting a house on fire, a court was told on Monday
