November 4th 2024.
In a tragic and shocking incident, a man has admitted to stabbing paramedic Steven Tougher to death outside a McDonald's in Campbelltown, Sydney in April of 2023. It was revealed in court that the accused, Jordan James Fineanganofo, was in a trance-like state and may have been experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the attack.
The court proceedings began with Fineanganofo pleading not guilty to murder, stating that his actions were a result of his mental health impairment. The prosecution agreed to consider a mental health verdict if the accused confessed to the physical aspects of the crime, which were captured on CCTV footage.
However, instead of proceeding with the trial, Justice David Davies adjourned the court to Friday to review the mental health defense presented by Fineanganofo's legal team. The emotional toll of the incident was evident as cries of pain and anguish rang out from the victim's family members.
According to the prosecution, the attack lasted for almost four minutes, during which Fineanganofo did not utter a single word as he repeatedly stabbed Tougher, who was on a break from his ambulance shift. The victim was unable to escape as he was trapped between the back of the ambulance and his attacker.
Despite Tougher's desperate attempts to push Fineanganofo away and plead for him to stop, the accused continued to stab him. Even the efforts of bystanders, including one who kicked Fineanganofo and begged him to stop, were unsuccessful in halting the attack.
In a chilling detail, it was revealed in court that at one point, Fineanganofo told Tougher to apologize to him, to which the victim responded, "I'm sorry, mate, whatever you think I've done." The accused also allegedly made disturbing statements about going to jail and killing Tougher.
The court also heard about Fineanganofo's other violent incidents in the days leading up to Tougher's death, including threatening a woman with a stroller and assaulting several men with a knife. His defense team confirmed that they are pleading not guilty to these charges as well, citing mental health impairment.
Both the prosecution and defense presented evidence from psychiatrists, who agreed that Fineanganofo may have known what he was doing but did not understand that it was wrong due to his mental health issues. One psychiatrist noted that the accused displayed signs of a relapse of schizophrenia.
It was also revealed that Fineanganofo had a history of mental health issues and had previously been charged with assaulting a neighbor in 2021. However, instead of facing prosecution, he was admitted to a mental health treatment facility.
These devastating events have left a community in mourning and a family without their loved one. As the case continues to unfold, support services such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue are available for those in need. The 9News app also provides updates on this and other news stories, keeping the public informed and aware.
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