A man who unleashed an “armed onslaught” at a wake by stabbing his partner’s lover a dozen times is set for a lengthy stint in jail for murder.
Ricky Duke Doolan, 33, killed Richard Mills in Boggabilla, on the Queensland-NSW border, in September 2022, after they had both attended the funeral of one of Mills’ family members.
Doolan, who earlier threatened to harm Mills in Facebook posts after discovering he had an affair with the 33-year-old’s long-term partner, pleaded guilty to murder.
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The NSW Supreme Court heard Doolan and Mills initially went to separate wakes after the funeral.
But they ended up at the same event after Doolan’s partner mistakenly determined Mills was not there.
Doolan admitted he turned up to the event with a large knife for his protection before confronting Mills about the relationship, pushing him and engaging in a stabbing onslaught.
Despite the attack being brief, Justice Richard Button said it led to the infliction of 14 wounds.
“Some of them were deep and very forceful, and there was a phase of the assault when the offender was standing over the deceased, who was defenceless on the ground trying to move, no doubt in a fruitless effort to survive,” he said.
Paramedics found Mills dead when they arrived a short time later.
Justice Button said the “atrocious” violence was an example of domestic violence, which he called “a notorious scourge within Australian society”.
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“That is because the offender could not accept that all adults in this country are entirely free to engage in romantic and intimate relationships with other adults as they see fit, without suffering threats of violence… let alone being stabbed to death,” he said.
“There was undoubtedly an intention to kill. (Mr Mills) was defenceless in the face of an armed onslaught.”
The court was told Doolan, a Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay man, experienced “grave” domestic violence as a result of his father’s alcohol abuse when growing up.
Having initially stood over Mills after the attack, the judge found Doolan was in tears soon after and began to feel remorse for the murder.
As the victim’s family members read impact statements earlier this week, Doolan sat with his head in his hands.
“I infer that that was an act of shame, distress and recognition of the enormity of the harm that he has done to so many,” Justice Button said.
Doolan had a prior conviction for assault after punching his partner in the face and kicking her twice.
The attack left her unconscious, bloodied and with a broken nose.
Justice Button sentenced Doolan to 18 years and nine months in jail with a non-parole period of 14 years.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
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