A MAN charged with murdering a woman in California Gully allegedly wrote and sent a 12-page email detailing his crimes, a court has heard.
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Adam Margolis appeared in the Supreme Court on Friday for the start of his murder trial.
He has pleaded not guilty to murdering 26-year-old Mai-Yia Vang in his Butler Street home sometime on February 24 and February 25, 2018.
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The court heard Mr Margolis and Ms Vang met through an online chat service in January 2018 and formed a relationship.
They met in person for the first time on February 9. Ms Vang then moved in with Mr Margolis at his California Gully home on February 18.
The court heard there was an alleged argument between Mr Margolis and Ms Vang the next day because he was angry she was in contact with an ex-partner.
Mr Margolis allegedly used Ms Vang's phone to contact that partner on several occasions.
The court heard Ms Vang messaged her sisters through a group Facebook chat on the afternoon of February 24.
About 10.34pm that night, Ms Vang and Mr Margolis were captured on CCTV footage buying food from a McDonalds in California Gully.
The court heard at some point that evening, the couple returned to Mr Margolis' home and allegedly had a "heated disagreement".
Prosecutors alleged Mr Margolis choked or strangled Ms Vang until she died and then made plans to kill himself.
The court heard during the day of February 25, Mr Margolis used Ms Vang's phone purporting to be her.
He sent messages in Ms Vang's sisters' group chat, telling them she was feeling sick and she needed to sleep.
The court heard about 7.55pm that day, Mr Margolis was captured on CCTV going to a supermarket where he bought supplies including tape.
About two hours later, he went to a pharmacy where he bought 60 tablets of prescription medication.
The court heard on the morning of February 26, Mr Margolis sent further messages in the sisters group chat purporting to be Ms Vang.
The messages said Ms Vang had a high temperature and that she was going to see a doctor.
The court heard about 3.30pm that day, Mr Margolis wrote a 12-page email allegedly explaining why he killed Ms Vang.
Parts of the email were read out to the Supreme Court.
The court heard Mr Margolis said Ms Vang had "overtly assaulted (him) so many times" and that he "lost control".
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The email said he "blacked out" during the alleged argument and regained consciousness to see Ms Vang in a choke-hold.
The court heard Mr Margolis wrote he said sorry during the alleged murder and that he "tried to minimise (her) suffering".
The court heard Mr Margolis programmed the email to be sent to three associates later that evening.
One of the associates received the email and called police at 11.20pm on February 26.
Officers arrived at the Butler Street address just after midnight and found Mr Margolis lying on a mattress in his bedroom.
The court heard he appeared to be having a drug overdose. Police asked him if there was anyone else in the property and he indicated to another bedroom.
The court heard police entered the room and found Ms Vang's body. She was lying face down with her torso on the bed and legs on the floor.
An autopsy report said there was male DNA on Ms Vang's neck, which was likely to have come from Mr Margolis.
There was also male DNA under Ms Vang's fingernails, which was likely to have come from the accused.
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The court heard paramedics noted Mr Margolis appeared in an altered mental state and was making incomprehensible noises, although his pulse was regular.
He was taken to a Bendigo hospital, with injuries including small scratches and bruises on his arms, and a single red scratch on his hand.
Mr Margolis was arrested on March 1 after he was deemed medically fit. He did not detail the alleged murder during his police interview.
Crown prosecutor Mark Rochford QC told the jury there was a "very strong case for murder".
Defence counsel Bruce Walmsley QC said Mr Margolis conceded he caused the death of Ms Vang.
But Mr Walmsley said the jury would need to decide whether he consciously, deliberately, and voluntarily killed her.
The defence counsel said Mr Margolis told officers he had flashbacks during the alleged murder. He submitted there were "bizarre circumstances" around the alleged offending.
Mr Margolis is in custody and will return to the Supreme Court next week. The murder trial is expected to run for 15 days.
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