A woman who stabbed and killed her abusive ex-partner on the street outside her parents’ Sydney home has been found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.
Jessica Silva, 24, stood trial in the NSW Supreme Court, over her attack on James Polkinghorne, 28, at Marrickville in May 2012.
Silva had ended her four-year relationship with Polkinghorne, two months before his death.
During the trial, the defence detailed a history of domestic violence, including physical abuse, death threats and threats of serious violence.
In a recorded telephone call days before the incident, Polkinghorne told Silva, “I’ll kill youse all, I’m telling ya. I’m not f***in’ joking.”
The jury was told James Polkinghorne became paranoid and aggressive when he used drugs including ice, which he was also selling.
At the time, Polkinghorne was a suspect in the murder of another man, Nikolas Argiropoulos, and was under police surveillance.
Many of the text messages and phone calls recorded as part of this investigation were used in evidence at Silva’s trial.
Murder victim James Polkinghorne. Image via ABC
The court heard that on the day of the incident, Silva threatened to stab Polkinghorne, in a conversation with her brother.
During the trial, the Crown acknowledged the abuse Silva suffered but said the killing was not lawful and there were other lawful ways to respond.
Silva told police Polkinghorne called her that night from a park across the road from her parents’ home where she was staying.
“I’m 30 f***in’ seconds away,” Polkinghorne said.
“If you don’t come out I’m going to kill you.
“In 30 seconds I’m going to come and rip the door down if you don’t come out.”
Silva’s brother and father went to Polkinghorne and tried to calm him down.
Silva also went out and said her ex-partner grabbed her, punched her in the face and ripped her pants.
She said Polkinghorne then claimed to have a gun and again threatened to kill her.
“That was when I just lost it,” Silva told police.
Image via Thinkstock
The court heard Silva broke free, ran into the home, grabbed a large kitchen knife and returned to the street.
Armed with the knife, she said she told Polkinghorne she was scared for her life.
She could not remember what he said in response but the court heard she stabbed Polkinghorne in the shoulder, chest and back.
No weapon was found on Polkinghorne.
Silva said she never reported Polkinghorne’s abuse to police, because he had threatened to kill her if she ever took out an apprehended violence order.
She said she did not know she could have reported it to police, without getting an AVO.
Her bail has been continued, pending sentencing.
This story originally featured on ABC and has been republished with full permission
Top Comments
So the police had all these recordings of threats he made but didn't intervene? Am I missing some extra information? Why would they not act at some point, maybe when he was outside her house sending her messages that he wanted to kill her if she didn't go outside? Why are police so powerless in these situations? How many stories of women wanting to leave abusive relationships are there where they try to get help from the police but are told there is nothing to do but get a restraining order, then they become another statistic when they are killed by the abuser? I am not against the police, but clearly the system is not in favour of victims and their protection!
They always claim they canmt do anything until the perpetrator makes good on the threats.
I've been threatened and stalked by a Neighbor and police woman told me that unless he actually hurt me then they couldn't do anything.
It's funny, but when I mentioned provocation in an article a week or two ago I was attacked from all sides, yet here is a woman being congratulated for killing someone who provoked her.
You can't have it both ways.
Yes, I remember that comment Guest and the vitriolic reaction from people here who commented against you and are even now arguing in the opposite direction.
I was patient though and knew it was only a matter of days before another article appeared about women using provocation as a defence which would be meet with a totally different response including applause, you go gurl and suggesting rewarding someone for manslaughter.