Arabic version: السجن لقاتلي امرأة في قضية باردة في كانبيرا

According to ABC News, Joseph Vekony and Steve Fabriczy have been sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court for the 1999 killing of Canberra grandmother Irma Palasics during a home invasion. Both men, now in their 70s, were found guilty of manslaughter earlier this year after DNA linked them to the crime.

Vekony received a 20-year sentence with a non-parole period of 12 years. Fabriczy was sentenced to 16 years and six months, with a non-parole period of 11 years. Justice David Mossop said the men were equally culpable and had intended to commit a dangerous and unlawful act, describing their motive as greed.

Irma Palasics and her husband Gregor were bound, gagged and beaten when the men broke into their Canberra home. The offenders ransacked the property, stole $30,000 from a hidden kitchen compartment and left Mrs Palasics, 72, dead and her husband injured. The case was later linked to the men through DNA on a milk bottle and water container in the couple’s fridge, and the pair were arrested following an undercover police operation using the “Mr Big” technique.

Justice Mossop said Vekony, who has terminal liver cancer, was almost certain to die in jail. Fabriczy, 71, has health problems including cardiac arrhythmia, but the judge noted he had shown no acceptance of responsibility or remorse. Outside court, Mrs Palasics’s grandson John Mikita said the family had sought accountability for 26 years and felt relief and gratitude, alongside deep sadness. He also called for anyone who gave the offenders information about his grandparents and their valuables to come forward.