For the first time, The Advertiser can name and show Brett Darren Mardon, who is standing trial accused of attempting to put three lives at risk — the elder, his wife and their young child.
He has denied injecting milk, apple juice and other liquids in the refrigerator of Ben Anthanysz with glyphosate — a weed killer that causes health problems if consumed in large quantities.
Mardon has maintained his innocence of the charges despite being recorded by a CCTV camera mounted in the Anthanysz’s kitchen.
Opening the trial, prosecutor Nick Healy said Mardon’s actions were a vengeful response to his church peers ignoring his existence, as required by their faith.
He said Mr Anthanysz had been part of a three-person Jehovah’s Witness committee that censured Mardon “for having sex with someone while married.
Mardon was part of the Jehovah’s Witness congregation based at Crafers, and was excommunicated because of moral issues,” he said.
“An excommunicated member is still entitled to attend church meetings, however none of the congregation can speak to him while they are there.”
Mardon, 47, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to create a risk of harm and three counts of serious criminal trespass in a place of residence.
He has pleaded guilty, however, to two counts of theft — namely stealing personal documents from Mr Anthanysz’s home.
