WARNING: Distressing content
A Sydney woman who decapitated her mum after stabbing her to death in a “frenzied and unrestrained attack” has had her prison sentence reduced.
Jessica Camilleri faced a murder trial in 2020 but was found guilty by a jury of manslaughter due to substantial impairment over the death of her mum Rita in their St Clair home in 2019.
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She was sentenced to a prison term of 21 years and seven months with a non-parole period of 16 years and two months in December 2021.
Camelleri, who lives with complex mental health conditions and had an obsession with graphic horror films, appealed that sentence on three grounds.
Her application claimed the sentencing judge erred in the assessment of the gravity of the crime, failed to discount the sentence following her acceptance of responsibility and willingness to facilitate the administration of justice, and that the sentence was manifestly excessive.
Two of three Court of Criminal Appeal judges granted the appeal and reduced the sentence in a judgement handed down on Wednesday.
Camilleri was re-sentenced to a term of 16 years and six months, with a non-parole period of 12 years.
“Objectively, the facts were gruesome and brutal and involved a frenzied attack on an innocent victim in her own home,” Justice Peter Hamill said in his judgement.
“The mutilation of the victim’s body … made this homicide particularly horrendous.
“On the other hand, the offence was spontaneous and the result of the applicant losing control of herself because of her complex psychiatric illness.
“Her behaviour … demonstrated the extent to which the applicant’s conduct was divorced from the real world.
“I find (Camilleri) had only a simple understanding of moral wrongfulness, due to her intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, and had lost her self-control at the time of the homicide.”
In the months before killing her mother, Camilleri had stopped taking her prescribed mood stabilising and anti-psychotic drugs.
In the day leading up to the offence, her mental condition deteriorated and she became increasingly agitated.
On the evening of July 20, Rita became so concerned about her daughter’s behaviour she thought she should be taken to hospital.
When she tried to call an ambulance, Camilleri stopped her mother and they struggled over the phone.
Rita then tried to get another phone and another struggle ensued.
Camilleri then knocked her mum to the ground, dragged her by her hair into the kitchen and restrained her.
She then used a total of seven kitchen knives to stab and ultimately decapitate her mother.
An autopsy found Rita suffered at least 100 stab wounds to her face and head.
Camilleri then took her mother’s severed head and went out onto the street.
“The evidence suggested she dropped it on the footpath, picked it up, walked further down the street, and dropped it again,” the court heard.
“She attended a neighbour’s home and asked for emergency services to be called.”
Camilleri will be eligible for parole in 2031.
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.