edotherocket 0 Report post Posted April 7, 2005 Don't let Maria die, husband says By Elissa Hunt April 08, 2005 JOE Korp faces a murder charge if his wife dies - and he will fight to keep her alive. As Maria Korp clings to life in hospital with the help of machines, the man accused of trying to kill her has signalled he will take the battle to court if her family tries to remove her life supports. The mother of two, 50, was strangled with a bag strap and left in a car boot for almost five days before she was rescued on February 13. Her husband and his lover stand accused of her attempted murder. Ms Korp is in a coma and if she does not get better within in a month, doctors must decide whether continuing with medical treatment is futile. If she remains in a coma and treatment is stopped, she will die within two weeks. Mr Korp's lawyer, Michael Tovey, QC, yesterday said his client would block any bid to stop medical support for the injured woman. "My client would, being the husband, be taking legal action to ensure that it doesn't happen," Mr Tovey told Melbourne Magistrates' Court. He said he expected a court would be "extraordinarily reluctant to order withdrawal of those supports in circumstances where the consequences would be somebody being charged with murder". Ms Korp is in a vegetative state and is receiving her air and nourishment through tubes. Neurologist Dr Bruce Day told the court that although Ms Korp may be able to breathe unassisted, removing the tube from her windpipe would leave her with a 50 per cent chance of survival. He said people in comas could survive with medical help for 40 years but a third died in the first year. Keeping Ms Korp on life supports if her condition stays the same for longer than three months would be deemed futile, and it would then be decided whether the treatment should stop, Dr Day said. Ms Korp's daughter Laura De Gois, 27, who has been made her formal guardian, yesterday declined to comment on what action the family might take should her condition not improve. Mr Korp, 47, and his lover Tania Herman, 38, are charged with conspiring and attempting to murder Ms Korp. He is seeking bail, citing a good record and work history, strong family support and a weak case against him which relies on the account given by his co-accused. Ms Herman confessed to police that she strangled Ms Korp, telling them she acted at Mr Korp's insistence as it was the only way they could be together. Mr Tovey said it was possible for Ms Korp to live a long time in a coma and any challenge by his client to ending her life could take years, arguing he should not stay locked up in the meantime. Prosecutor John McArdle, SC, said Mr Korp was a man with a propensity to practise deceit on a huge level, making him a risk on bail. He said the prospects of Ms Korp surviving were minimal. Magistrate Paul Smith said he could not make a decision on whether Mr Korp should be freed while his wife's life hangs in the balance. He said he could not decide the issue of bail when it was possible that Mr Korp could face a murder charge. "I'm not satisfied Mrs Korp will not die from her injuries," Mr Smith said. Mr Smith adjourned Mr Korp's bail application until May 25 so doctors could reassess Ms Korp's condition. Source: News.com.au This has been a real high profile case in Australia as when the woman originally went missing it was assumed she had just left him. Then they found in her in the trunk of a car outside the Shrine of Remembrance (just a couple of blocks down from the Missing Persons department!). Then it turned out they were both bigtime swingers. And she is still in a coma and has been unable to tell anyone who tried to kill her. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slickster 0 Report post Posted April 7, 2005 The cook and the thief were unavailable for comment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 0 Report post Posted April 7, 2005 MOONSAULTED~! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted April 8, 2005 He's like a reverse Michael Schiavo, only, you know, slightly less morally reprehensible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Metal Maniac 0 Report post Posted April 8, 2005 Right. I mean, all this guy did was try to kill his wife himself, while she was alive and not a vegtable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted April 8, 2005 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted April 8, 2005 Right. I mean, all this guy did was try to kill his wife himself, while she was alive and not a vegtable. I wouldn't be shocked if, oh, 7 years ago she asked him to let her live should he ever attempt to kill her. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
