A prolific drug dealer who was allegedly strangled by a customer could have been unconscious when her body was dumped in a cemetery lake, a Perth murder trial has heard.
Diana Lesley Matthews, 46, was found dead in a reservoir at Rockingham Regional Memorial Park on April 29, 2011.
The West Australian Supreme Court heard on Monday that Allan Bradley McIntosh, 38, strangled Ms Mathews with a piece of a wire then dumped her body with the help of his co-accused, who has already faced court.
Prosecutor Alan Troy said in his opening submission that McIntosh plotted to kill Ms Matthews so he could steal her drugs and money.
Mr Troy said McIntosh told his co-accused in a recorded conversation that what they did was "f***ed" but they had saved lives.
"The only good drug dealer is a dead drug dealer," McIntosh said in the recording.
The court heard McIntosh claimed the conversation was taken out of context.
Mr Troy said medical experts would testify it was possible Ms Mathews was unconscious when she was dumped in the lake and could have survived the attack.
But because she was passed out she may not have been able to lift her head out of the shallow water and died some time later.
McIntosh's defence lawyer will deliver her opening submission later on Monday.
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