San Antonio Express from San Antonio, Texas • Page 128

EXCLUSIVE STAR REPORT ON A SENSATIONAL 'COUPLE PLOTTED By ROSS WABY TORONTO A million dollar murder involving a wealthy businessman and his ex-model wife ended in the brutal death, according to police. The bizarre tale of a plot and counterplot, hired assassins and a secret love affair has unfolded in one of most sensational murder trials. And the strangest twist of all is that, say police, both the husband and the wife were planning to kill each other and claim $1.1 million in life insurance. On trial is 41-year-old builder Peter Demeter, accused of hiring a person or persons unknown to kill his wife, Christine. Among the methods of death he is alleged to have planned for his wife are electrocution, staged car accidents, faked falls, shooting and the use of a hired killer.

His 33-year-old wife is also said to have plotted to kill Demeter after discovering love letters he had received from a beautiful Austrian model. Both Demeter and his wife had separate insurance policies on their lives, amounting to $1.1 million each. The murder that has stunned Canada took place on the night of July 18 last year, in the 100,000 home in the suburb of Mississauga, Toronto. Peter Demeter was returning home with house guests when the headlights of his car suddenly flashed on the body of his wife, clad in a backless gown and bikini panties, lying face down in the garage. She had been savagely beaten about the head, probably with a crowbar or tire iron, said police.

A month after the killing, police arrested Demeter. He was released on $70,000 bail while the investigation continued. But last week, as the murder trial entered its eighth week, Judge Campbell Grant ordered Demeter to be held in custody as the prosecution produced surprise witnesses. THE HUSBAHD Alibi 1 the latest development, Canadian police are seeking the extradition of a Hungarian, said to be the prime suspect in Mrs. murder.

A hooded witness identified only as Mr. testified that the suspect was in Toronto on the day of the murder. Mr. appeared in court wearing a knitted hood vith slits for his eyes and mouth. The prosecution alleges that Demeter used a go- between to contact the Hungarian nicknamed The Duck because of his waddling walk to kill his wife.

Other witnesses have included 29-year-old Austrian model Marina Hundt, who said she was mistress and is convinced of his innocence. The trial has traced life back to Hungary, where he was born. He covered the 1956 uprising for Radio Free Europe. He went to Canada later the same year and started a construction business, Eden Garden Custom Builders. He became wealthy and made frequent trips to Europe.

It was there in 1967 that he met Christine, a native of Innsbruck, Austria. He married her later the same year in Toronto. Rebound But the prosecution alleges that Demeter married on the rebound, after unsuccessfully courting Miss Hundt, whom he had met in 1965. Crown prosecutor John Greenwood told the court: We will establish conclusively that he planned with intent the murder of his wife shortly after they were married in 1967. married Mrs, I saw murder suspect, says hooded witness PETER Demeter, the wealthy builder accused of plotting his murder.

Demeter on the rebound. But he still loved Marina and eventually, after a series of events, the passion was Police allege that Demeter first approached a fellow Hungarian, Csaba Szilagyi, with a plan to kill Christine in 1970. Szilagyi, 35, a former pizza shop manager, has been the most damaging witness against Demeter. He said the Demeters' marriage was a harmonious He said they had many fights over minor incidents. In 1970 he added, Demeter suggested to him a plan to kill Christine by throwing her from the top landing of a stair well at a house De meter was building.

Szilagyi told the court: was to wait for Christine, lead her to the top, and throw her down. "My objection was that Court told of $2m his-hers murder gome ended in wife's deuth right beside the stair well, the full height of the building, was a foot-wide window. Dropped could see what was going on. Also, a fall would not necessarily achieve the Szilagyi said that later Demeter suggested throwing Christine down some stairs at another house being built. This time Szilagyi testified, he was to knock her on the head to make sure.

But after some discussion the matter was dropped. Szilagyi said that in 1972 Demeter asked him what he thought of a plan in which the Demeters' dog would get loose, Christine would chase it on to the highway and get hit by a car. Alternatively, Christine would be hit on the head, dragged on to the highway at night and run over, Demeter allegedly said. Szilagyi said he told Demeter the first plan was unlikely to succeed. Car fire He rejected the alternative because of a car hitting a prone person would cause damage different from hitting an upright person.

Demeter then suggested emptying gasoline on the garage floor and rigging rows in their marriage 9.