By Genevieve Gannon
MELBOURNE, April 21 AAP - A chronic ice addict accused of shooting his girlfriend in the head had repeatedly threatened to kill her during their "extremely abusive" relationship, a Melbourne court has heard.
Crown prosecutors say Nelson Lai, of Sunshine North, had attempted to control 22-year-old Rekiah Lee O'Donnell from their first date, and later subjected her to abuse, threats and insults.
In one phone call overheard by a friend of Ms O'Donnell's, Lai said unless she admitted being unfaithful he would come to her house and shoot her, the Victorian Supreme Court heard on Tuesday.
Lai, 35, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Ms O'Donnell, who died from a gunshot wound in his house on October 11, 2013.
During his opening address at Lai's trial, prosecutor Andrew Grant said the pair met in August 2012 and began a relationship that became violent after only two months.
Mr Grant said Ms O'Donnell stayed with Lai because she saw potential in him, and wanted to help.
He read a series of Facebook messages between the pair in August 2013, that included a message from Lai saying: "I'll end both our suffering ASAP".
Ms O'Donnell wrote back two days later, saying to Lai "I just want you to know I care about you and always will".
Lai replied by telling Ms O'Donnell to go f*** herself, and called her a f***ing whore.
The pair broke up and reconciled several times, Mr Grant said.
CCTV footage from the night before Ms O'Donnell died show them together at a supermarket.
Defence barrister Kevin Doyle said Ms O'Donnell's death was accidental and both Lai and Ms O'Donnell were both chronic ice users.
"Why did he attempt to resuscitate her, and why did he call triple zero?" Mr Doyle said.
The trial continues before Justice Michael Croucher.
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