R v Cahill (No. 4) [2018] NSWSC 1896

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Cahill (No. 4) [2018] NSWSC 1896 Hearing dates: 1 November 2018, 2 November 2018, 9 November 2018, 13 November 2018 Date of orders: 12 December 2018 Decision date: 12 December 2018 Before: Johnson J Decision: For the manslaughter of David Walsh at Padstow between 17 and 18 February 2017, Cathrina Ann Cahill is sentenced to imprisonment for a period of eight years comprising a non-parole period of five years commencing on 18 February 2017 and expiring on 17 February 2022 with a balance of term of three years commencing on 18 February 2022 and expiring on 17 February 2025. The earliest date upon which the Offender will be eligible for release on parole is 18 February 2022. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - sentence - manslaughter - substantial impairment by abnormality of mind - depressive disorder - Offender killed victim by single stab wound to the neck - domestic violence - stabbing occurred after violent acts by victim towards another person and Offender - history of violence by Offender and victim towards each other during two-year relationship - Offender on good behaviour bond at time of killing for earlier offence of violence against victim - assessment of factors relevant on sentence for manslaughter - assessment of objective gravity of offence - favourable subjective circumstances of Offender - good prospects of rehabilitation Legislation Cited: Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 Crimes (High Risk Offenders) Act 2006 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Crimes Act 1900 Cases Cited: Browning v R [2015] NSWCCA 147 Filippou v The Queen (2015) 256 CLR 47; [2015] HCA 29 GAS v The Queen (2004) 217 CLR 198; [2004] HCA 22 Hiron v R [2007] NSWCCA 336 Osland v The Queen (1998) 197 CLR 316; [1998] HCA 75 Pasinis v R [2014] VSCA 97 R v Borkowski (2009) 195 A Crim R; [2009] NSWCCA 102 R v Hamid (2006) 164 A Crim R 179; [2006] NSWCCA 302 R v Hill (1981) 3 A Crim R 397 R v Kristensen [2018] NSWCCA 189 R v Malott (1998) 1 RCS 123 R v MD (2005) 156 A Crim 372; [2005] NSWCCA 342 R v Merrick (No. 2) [2016] NSWSC 164 R v Nguyen [2005] NSWSC 600 R v Simpson (2001) 53 NSWLR 704; [2001] NSWCCA 534 R v Stambolis (2006) 160 A Crim R 510; [2006] NSWCCA 56 R v Tarrant [2018] NSWSC 774 R v Toki (No. 3) (2000) 116 A Crim R 536; [2000] NSWSC 999 Tepania v R [2018] NSWCCA 247 Veen v The Queen (No. 2) (1988) 164 CLR 456; [1988] HCA 14 Weininger v The Queen (2003) 212 CLR 629; [2003] HCA 14 Zreika v R (2012) 223 A Crim R 460; [2012] NSWCCA 4 Texts Cited: Hopkins, Carline and Easteal, "Equal Consideration and Informed Imagining: Recognising and Responding to the Lived Experiences of Abused Women Who Kill" (2018) 41 Melbourne University Law Review 1201 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina (Crown) Cathrina Ann Cahill (Offender) Representation: Counsel: Ms N Williams (Crown) Mr J Trevallion (Offender )