Louise St John Kennedy: Witness says socialite accused of attack on neighbour ‘100 per cent had a knife’

Socialite and former architect Louise St John Kennedy was “100 per cent” holding a knife during an alleged attack on her elderly neighbour, according to a witness who captured the incident on video. The award-winning, retired architect returned to court on Monday to defend herself in a criminal trial over allegations she attacked university professor Prudence Manners on May 9 last year. The argument was captured on video by a nearby neighbour, which showed the two women in the shared driveway of their Claremont homes. Ms Kennedy can allegedly be heard yelling “go on you dumb b*tch” at Dr Manners. Police say the video shows Ms Kennedy holding a knife and waving it in front of Dr Manners’ face. However, Ms Kennedy denies she was holding a knife and that it was a specialist tool called an angle finder ruler, which is used by architects. The trial, ongoing since late last year, once again drew a packed courtroom of supporters from both sides as Ms Kennedy finished her lengthy cross-examination of Dr Manners. But the validity of Dr Manners’ testimony was cast into doubt after Ms Kennedy accused her of being “coached” by her daughter who had been sitting in the courtroom, according to other attendees. The court was briefly cleared while the matter was discussed with Ms Kennedy, attendees and police prosecutors. Ms Kennedy’s long-time neighbour Penelope Holmes was called to give evidence when proceedings resumed. Ms Holmes had recorded the video of the alleged attack from her neighbouring property after hearing commotion outside her house. “Around midday, I heard the sounding of a horn and screaming ... I said to my husband ‘that would be Louise again’,” Ms Holmes said. “I then went outside, which is when I recognised (Ms Kennedy’s) voice. I stood on a pot plant in my garden and started recording the incident. “She was screaming abuse at an elderly lady who I didn’t recognise.” The video, which has raised questions about whether Ms Kenney was holding a knife or a ruler, was played again to Ms Holmes. But she was adamant that what she saw Ms Kennedy holding was “100 per cent” a knife. “I initially thought it was a steel pole she was holding because of the size. But when she went to raise it over her head, I realised it was a knife ... 100 per cent,” Ms Holmes said. “It had a very pointy end ... it came within centimetres of (Dr Manners’) face. “She was screaming at her in a very aggressive manner.” Moments before the video ends, Ms Holmes can be heard yelling “Don’t worry, I’ve got it on video”. Ms Holmes said she stopped filming because Ms Kennedy was approaching her. “She was walking towards me with a knife in her hand,” Ms Holmes said. “Two properties and a fence away,” Ms Kennedy questioned, to which Ms Holmes replied: “It was still terrifying”. During the cross-examination, Ms Kennedy made a series of claims about Ms Holmes, including that she had continued filming the altercation but withheld part of the footage from police. Ms Kennedy further accused Ms Holmes of defying police directions by sharing the video with “a lot of people around the suburb”. “That is categorically untrue,” Ms Holmes replied. “I did not send the video to anyone except (Dr Prudence’s daughter) and handed it directly to police.” Moments later, Ms Kennedy labelled Ms Holmes a “hostile” witness with a personal bias against her. “We used to be close friends for decades, didn’t we?” Ms Kennedy asked, to which Ms Holmes firmly responded “No, we weren’t”. More witnesses, including two police investigators, are expected to testify as the trial continues. Ms Kennedy is also set to appear before court on November 27 after allegedly breaching her protective bail conditions and a violence restraining order made against her by Dr Manners.