Jacinta Ann Drust: Adelaide woman denies pressuring boyfriend Antonio Cavaiuolo into ending his own life
A woman accused of pressuring her boyfriend into taking his own life, telling him not to be a ‘coward’, has entered pleas to two charges in court.
A woman accused of pressuring her boyfriend into taking his own life has denied all charges against her.
Jacinta Ann Drust, of Adelaide, is facing a charge each of murder and unlawful killing relating to the death of her former partner Antonio Cavaiuolo in March 2023.
Appearing at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Ms Drust entered not guilty pleas to each charge and will now stand trial in the state’s Supreme Court.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The extraordinary case centres on the death of Mr Cavaiuolo, who took his own life at his home in Blakeview.
It is alleged that Ms Drust, 35, had stabbed a knife into a wall by his head before telling him not to be a “coward” and to kill himself, a previous hearing was told.
Magistrate Justin Wickens read the accusations to her during a short hearing.
“It is alleged that between 30 November 2021 and 1 April 2023 at Blakeview and other places, you murdered Antonio Cavaiuolo by procuring suicide by duress. Do you plead guilty or not guilty?” he asked the defendant.
“Not guilty,” she replied.
Ms Drust also pleaded not guilty to “unlawfully killing” Mr Cavaiuolo by the same means.
Mr Wickens adjourned the hearing until November 30 when a committal trial hearing will be held.
Ms Drust was granted continued home detention bail until this date at her home in Renown Park in Adelaide’s inner north.
Originally published as Adelaide woman denies pressuring boyfriend into ending his own life
