A man accused of shooting his ex-wife to death amid a bitter court battle has been found guilty of her murder more than 17 years later.
Emil ‘Bill’ Petrov, 60, faced a three-week trial in which prosecutors alleged he killed Cindy Crossthwaite, 41, at her home in Melton South, Melbourne, on June 20, 2007.
The mother-of-three’s body was found by her father under a blanket in the living room, with blood splattered on the windows.
The jury was told Mrs Crossthwaite had been strangled and shot in the head from about six inches away.
Prosecutor Mark Gibson argued that Petrov fired the fatal shot, but the jury could also find that he committed the murder by commissioning an unknown person to carry it out.
He told the jury that Petrov and Crossthwaite were married for almost 10 years before their separation in 2005.
They faced Family Court hearings in May 2007 as they attempted to divide their assets, and Petrov alleged that several properties were excluded because they were owned by his parents.
The case was adjourned until July of that year and Gibson argued that Petrov was aware that his financial interests would be adversely affected when the proceedings resumed.
Emil ‘Bill’ Petrov, 60, faced a three-week trial in which prosecutors alleged he killed Cindy Crossthwaite, 41, (pictured) at her home in Melton South, Melbourne, on the 20th. June 2007.
Emil Petrov (pictured) was found guilty of the murder of his ex-wife on Wednesday
The prosecutor alleged that the legal battle was a major part of the motive for Petrov’s murder.
But Petrov denied causing Crossthwaite’s death and his lawyers said the extent of the battle over the couple’s property was in dispute.
The defense also disputed witness Brian O’Shea’s claims that Petrov had gone to him to buy a gun in April or May 2007.
O’Shea said Petrov had told him he would kill Crossthwaite, but also admitted he was only giving evidence to avoid facing a murder charge.
Jurors returned their verdict against Petrov on Wednesday afternoon, just over a week after beginning deliberations.
When asked how they found him in response to the murder charge, the jury forewoman responded “guilty.”
Petrov looked at his girlfriend and wiped his face, looking stressed, as the verdict was handed down.
He had previously been out on bail and will now be taken to prison pending a pre-sentence hearing on March 21.
Police announced a $1 million reward for information about Crossthwaite’s 2017 death.
Ms Crossthwaite’s family hugged each other and wiped away tears as the verdict was handed down.
The mother’s body was discovered by her father, Philip Crossthwaite, after she failed to pick up her two eldest children, then aged 10 and eight, from school.
She was last seen dropping them off at school that same day.
Her youngest son, who was only 15 months old at the time, was home when she was killed, police said.
Police announced a $1 million reward for information about Crossthwaite’s 2017 death.
Speaking outside court on Wednesday, Crossthwaite’s aunt, Kathleen Jones, seemed overcome with emotion and said the verdict felt “better than winning the lottery.”
“It’s just amazing for all the women who have been raped by men, domestic violence, it’s good that the justice system has stood up and they’ve finally caught him,” she told reporters.
“It’s been a long time coming, so we’re very happy that justice is being served.”