Vic: Woman sentenced over stabbing death of former partner

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2008
Vic: Woman sentenced over stabbing death of former partner

By Shelley Markham

MELBOURNE, Feb 12 AAP - A Victorian woman who stabbed her former partner to death and
left his body pinned to the ground with a knife has been sentenced to nine years jail.

Amanda Jane Felsbourg, 22, of Moe, in the state's south-east, was found guilty last
year by a Supreme Court jury of the manslaughter of 26-year-old Wayne Laffey.

Justice Bernard Teague today sentenced Felsbourg to nine years in jail with a non-parole
period of six years.

The court was told that Mr Laffey was found stabbed to death on the front lawn of a
house in Keith Avenue, Moe, on October 3, 2006.

"There were more than 30 stab wounds to his chest, arms and legs," Justice Teague said.

"Six penetrated his chest cavity causing a quick loss of blood and a quick death.

"The final stab wound had a particularly dramatic look about it.

"The knife was left upright, with the blade pinning Wayne Laffey's right hand to the ground."

The court was told that the couple had had a tempestuous relationship, which began
in 2004 when Felsbourg was 19 years old and Mr Laffey 23.

They had a daughter named Jade who was born in July 2005.

Mr Laffey had been in trouble with the law since he was 15 and he had convictions for
drug offences and armed robberies.

Felsbourg, on the other hand, had come from a good family and had hoped to change Mr
Laffey for "the better," the court was told.

The couple broke up in March 2006, but remained in contact even though Mr Laffey had
moved to Melbourne and started a new relationship with another woman, Jessica Heslop.

In September 2006, Felsbourg and Mr Laffey began seeing each other again.

But in early October, Mr Laffey decided that he wanted to return to Melbourne.

The court was told that Felsbourg became angry about a text message being sent by Ms
Heslop to Mr Laffey on October 3, 2006.

At 9.30pm on the same day, Felsbourg made three phone calls - one to a friend, another
to triple-0 and one to her mother - the court was told.

"In all three calls you spoke of having killed Wayne," Justice Teague said.

Felsbourg had told psychiatrist Jeffrey Cummins that she "had no recollection of the
killing," the court heard.

Mr Cummins had found that Felsbourg was suffering from post-natal depression at the
time of the stabbing.

"I am not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you acted out of jealousy," Justice Teague said.

"I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that you acted out of anger.

"I accept that at the time of killing you were suffering from post-natal depression."

Justice Teague said he took into account when sentencing Felsbourg that she had no
prior convictions, had shown remorse, and that her prospect for rehabilitation was excellent.

AAP sam/sjm/it/bwl

KEYWORD: FELSBOURG NIGHTLEAD

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