Senior Trial Advocate: Manny Conditsis
A young woman was charged with the stabbing murder of her husband, although there was no real dispute that she had been a battered spouse at the hands of the deceased, since she started to live with him when she was aged 14, and he was in his late 20’s; and that she told Police she had no recollection of what had happened.
After a six week trial in the Supreme Court, the jury acquitted our client, likely on the basis of self defence, following uncontested evidence that her deceased husband:
- Sexually abused her over about 7-8 years
- Coerced her to do all manner of things over the years
- Would cut her with broken glass
- Would put out his cigarettes on her
- Threatened he would kill her and the children if she left him
- Was again bashing her shortly before he was stabbed – with neighbours having heard screaming
This case attracted much media interest, including segments on 60 Minutes and A Current Affair.
