World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Man jailed for 24 years for murdering uncle in Maffra
Jethro Curtis, 44, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for murdering his uncle Stephen Curtis, 63, in Maffra, east of Melbourne.
He had accused Stephen of abusing him and other family members, but those allegations have not been proven.
On January 18, Curtis attacked Stephen in his home and strangled him with a telephone cable.
Stephen had Parkinson’s disease and was described by the judge as frail and defenceless.
Curtis pleaded guilty to murder and admitted killing his uncle after his arrest.
The judge said Curtis’s troubled upbringing and mental health conditions reduced his moral responsibility, and that his early guilty plea showed remorse.
He will be eligible to apply for parole after serving 17 years.
Jethro Curtis was jailed for 24 years for murdering his uncle, Stephen Curtis, in Maffra, Victoria.
The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to murder in July.
The court heard he attacked his 63-year-old uncle at their home on the evening of January 18.
Justice Rita Incerti said the attack was brutal and the victim was frail and defenceless.
Curtis will be eligible for parole after serving 17 years.
- Who
- Jethro Curtis, 44, murdered his uncle Stephen Curtis, 63.
- What
- He was jailed for 24 years after pleading guilty to murder.
- When
- The murder took place on January 18; the sentencing date is reported as Wednesday, but the article gives no calendar date.
- Where
- At their home in Maffra, about 220km east of Melbourne.
- Why
- Curtis had accused his uncle of abusing him and other family members; the allegations were not proven. The judge also accepted that Curtis had a troubled upbringing and mental health conditions that reduced his moral culpability.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The offending was extreme
It was carried out against a frail and defenceless victim in his own home
Curtis contacted Stephen's wife about his abuse accusations and said Stephen's days were numbered.
Curtis attacked and killed Stephen at their Maffra home.
Paramedics arrived at the property and found Stephen's body.
Curtis pleaded guilty to murder.
Justice Rita Incerti sentenced Curtis to 24 years in prison.
- Sentence
- 24 years in prison
- Parole eligibility
- After 17 years
- Victim
- Stephen Curtis, 63
- Location
- Maffra, about 220km east of Melbourne
- Plea
- Guilty to murder in July
Sources
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