Guilty Plea on Manslaughter for Killing of Trans Trucker

A WOMAN charged with murdering a transvestite truck driver today pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Donna Lee Casagrande, 33, wiped tears from her eyes when pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Joanne Lillecrapp, also known as John. Lillecrapp's mutilated body was found buried in a strawberry patch in the backyard of a north-western Adelaide house in November 2001.

Casagrande was remanded in custody to reappear in the court on July 1 for sentencing submissions.

Another woman, Nicole Therese McGuinness, 35, pleaded guilty to murdering Lillecrapp at a court hearing in April and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Submissions for a non-parole period for McGuinness have yet to be heard.