Socialite's friend slammed while giving evidence in murder trial

Prominent businesswoman Sarina Russo has been slammed in court while giving evidence in the high-profile trial of the man accused of murdering her friend Maureen Boyce. 

Boyce, a fashion model in the 1970s, was found dead on October 22nd, 2015 with a knife through her stomach impaling her to the bed.

The prosecution alleges Boyce was stabbed by her on-and-off-again lover Thomas Chris Lang, who has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Ms Russo told jurors Boyce was one of her close friends, and testified she spoke to her the night she died. 

At one point, Ms Russo described her friendship with Boyce as "a joyous occasion until she was murdered".

The comment was labelled "outrageous" by the defence and the jury was instructed to "utterly ignore" the remark.

The court also heard Boyce called Ms Russo regarding buyers backing out of the sale of her sub-penthouse apartment in Kangaroo Point. 

“She was really upset or distressed,” Ms Russo told the court.

“The inspection resulted in them wanting to look at other apartments because the apartment was too big.” 

Russo said she calmed her friend down, and invited the 68-year-old to her elderly mother’s birthday the following week. 

"She was very happy," Russo said.

"She said I'll see you there." 

Ms Russo told jurors she sent a text message to the socialite saying “Stay positive, love Sarina".

The trial continues.