Man found not criminally responsible for partner's killing in Bourke
A NSW Supreme Court judge ruled that Andrew Charles Smith was not criminally responsible for the death of his partner, Mavis Stanley, due to a mental health impairment.
In a Dubbo hearing, the NSW Supreme Court found Andrew Charles Smith not criminally responsible for the murder of his partner, 47-year-old Mavis Stanley, after determining he was probably afflicted by schizophrenia and delusional thinking. Justice Peter Hamill accepted psychiatric testimony that Smith’s mental state prevented him from understanding the wrongfulness of his actions. Recordings from Smith’s cell captured him addressing a deity and his dead partner, reinforcing the view that he was severely unwell.
Victim impact statements from Stanley’s daughter and other relatives described profound grief and called for stronger protections for Indigenous women and children. The judge emphasized that the special verdict does not equate to freedom for Smith and praised the family’s courage throughout the proceedings.
Why it matters
The case highlights how severe mental illness can affect criminal responsibility and raises concerns about domestic violence protections for Indigenous families.
In this story
