Arabic version: سجن رجل من كيرنز بتهمة طعن زميله في السكن حتى الموت

According to ABC News, Steven Edward Anderson has been sentenced to seven years in jail after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his Cairns share-house roommate, Darren “Lenny” Smith.

Anderson, 69, stabbed Mr Smith, 57, three times during a fight at their White Rock home in the early hours of May 10, 2023. The Supreme Court in Cairns heard the men each rented a bedroom at the property. Anderson had moved in about three months earlier, while Mr Smith had lived there for about two years.

The court heard Mr Smith had been drinking and playing music during the evening. Anderson, who needed to get up early, told him to turn the music down and later went for a drive to cool off. Shortly after 1:20am, a confrontation developed after Mr Smith shouted challenges and wrote threatening messages on a shared fridge.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald said it was not known with certainty who introduced a knife, though it was accepted Mr Smith may have taken it from the kitchen. Anderson wrestled the knife from Mr Smith and stabbed him in the chest three times. One wound damaged Mr Smith’s left lung and heart. Anderson called Triple Zero and attempted resuscitation, but Mr Smith died at the scene after emergency surgery failed to repair lacerations to his heart.

Mr Smith’s former wife, Aya Eto, told the court through a statement that his death had left “a terrible void” for her and their two teenage sons. His brother Michael described him as a knowledgeable and well-respected architect.

Justice James Henry said Mr Smith’s conduct that night was irritating and provocative, but Anderson chose to continue the fight while armed rather than resist and retreat. Anderson, initially charged with murder, was on parole for drug offences at the time. He has been diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer in custody and, with time served, can apply for parole immediately.