Jury deadlocked in Kim Ashley Prunster attempted murder trial

A Supreme Court jury was today unable to reach a verdict in the trial of Kim Ashley Prunster, who is accused of the attempted murder of his partner of 34 years.

The jury of 12 retired about 11am to decide the fate of Mr Prunster, 57, who stabbed his partner Amanda Gibbons up to 14 times in their Dongara home in November 2017.

The jury must decide whether he was in a “dissociative state” and not acting wilfully when he attacked Ms Gibbons, 52, with a serrated steak knife.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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The atmosphere was tense as about 15 of Mr Prunster’s family and friends awaited the outcome with bated breath.

About 4pm, Justice Stephen Hall instructed the jury he would settle for a majority verdict of at least 10 jurors.

But at 4.40pm, the jury had still not delivered its verdict.

An exhausted looking Mr Prunster smiled weakly at his supporters as he was led away.

The jury will resume its deliberations tomorrow.