R v Micheal Martin [2018] NSWSC 84

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Micheal Martin [2018] NSWSC 84 Hearing dates: 7 February 2018 Decision date: 09 February 2018 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Hamill J Decision: Aggregate sentence of 37 years with a non-parole period of 27 years and 9 months (see paragraphs [75]-[76]) Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – murder – attempted murder – infliction of grievous bodily harm – grave offences of violence – son kills father for insurance money – planned and premeditated attack – initial attempt to kill unsuccessful – offences committed in home of victims – two victims left with life threatening injuries – murder committed shortly after father released from hospital – murder committed with samurai sword – katana – offences substantially above mid-range of objective seriousness – cold-blooded determination scarcely imaginable – staggering moral delinquency – whether life sentence appropriate – aggregate sentence

CRIMINAL LAW – sentencing – mitigating features – where offender subject to childhood neglect and abuse at the hands of his father – whether non-exculpatory provocation established – where offender suffers depressive illness as a result of abuse – moral culpability diminished – impact on general deterrence – unusual if not unique mitigating feature for such an offence Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900, ss 27, 33, Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, ss 3A, 21A, 28, 54D, 61 Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 s 15A. Cases Cited: Fahs v R [2007] NSWCCA 26 Goebel-McGregor v R [2006] NSWCCA 390 Louizos v R; R v Louizos [2009] NSWCCA 71; 194 A Crim R 223 Luque v R [2017] NSWCCA 226 May v R [2012] NSWCCA 111 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Mulvihill v R [2016] NSWCCA 259 Postiglione v The Queen [1997] HCA 26; (1997) 189 CLR 295 R v Burnes [2007] NSWCCA 53 R v Candace Martin [2017] NSWSC 1498 R v Farhad Qaumi, Mumtaz Qaumi & Jamil Qaumi (Sentence) [2017] NSWSC 774 R v Ryan & Coulter [2011] NSWSC 1249 R v Suteski (2002) 56 NSWLR 182 R v Willard [2001] NSWCCA 6; 120 A Crim R 450 R v Willard [2005] NSWSC 402 Ryan v R [2017] NSWCCA 209 Williams v R [2013] NSWCCA 168 and Shine v R [2016] NSWCCA 149 Ziha v R [2013] NSWCCA 27 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina M P Martin Representation: Counsel: Mr B G Campbell (Crown) Mr G D Wendler (M P Martin)