A father accused of stabbing his five-year-old son to death because he thought he was the devil has been found not guilty of murder due to mental illness.
Acting Justice Peter Hidden said on Wednesday he was satisfied the 38-year-old man, who suffers from schizophrenia and can’t be named for legal reasons, had stabbed his son in the midst of a psychotic episode and he didn’t realise what he was doing was wrong.
The NSW Supreme Court judge said the defence of mental illness had been made out.
The court heard the father stabbed his son 76 times on the morning of July 8, 2018, in their Sydney home after the boy’s mother and grandmother had left the house.
Public Outrage
After the report was shared on the 7news Facebook page the public response was one of total shock and disgust at the ruling.
Many will never understand how the system can fail such an innocent victim.
Comments include:
“There’s no justice for children living in Australia it’s shocking child abusers and killers walk free in less than 4 years”
“If it was a dog that killed someone I’m sure that dog would’ve been put down so what’s the different between a human that has mental health issues or just a dog without a brain killing someone”
“This wouldn’t have happened if our system wasn’t broken and he was given the care he needed.”
“Justice System needs to be investigated so wrong in so many ways”
“WTF! So the health system is to blame as is FACS for not protecting the child”
“He should be held accountable for his actions regardless of his mental state”
“OMG what is wrong with our legal system!”
“The law failed this poor kid. Disgusting!”
Further details to come…
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