A judge has condemned the brutal slaying of an innocent “peacemaker,” sentencing the perpetrator to two decades behind bars.
Beloved by his family, 32-year-old Mayiik Ring was tragically stabbed while attempting to mediate a quarrel between his girlfriend and her attacker at a reserve in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Unbeknownst to Ring, his girlfriend Nyaiek Anyang was pregnant when he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Following a second jury trial in April, 28-year-old Malwal Aweng was convicted of Ring’s murder.
The incident unfolded as Aweng and his girlfriend sat on benches alongside Ring and Anyang near the St Albans community center, shortly after 10 p.m. on December 30, 2022.
A heated dispute erupted between Aweng and Anyang, leading to the tragic events.
Ring tried to intervene and resolve the situation, but the fight became physical.
Aweng grabbed a knife from his girlfriend’s bag and slashed Anyang across the neck, before thrusting the blade once into Ring’s abdomen.
Ring stumbled to the community centre for help but collapsed at the entrance and was taken to hospital.
He died from his injuries about midnight on December 31.
Aweng, who was on bail at the time, fled after stabbing Ring and was later arrested and charged with murder.
He had admitted manslaughter, but denied he intentionally tried to kill Ring.
Two juries were empanelled this year, with the first unable to reach a verdict.
Aweng was found guilty of murder after his second jury trial on April 9, and he also pleaded guilty to intentionally causing injury to Anyang.
He stood and appeared to become emotional as Justice Andrew Tinney jailed him for a maximum of 25 years today for the “vicious” and “entirely uncalled for” murder.
“These were two blameless victims who did nothing to deserve your attacks on them,” the judge said.
“Mr Ring in particular was a peacemaker … It is disturbing that for so little reason you sought to escalate a minor disagreement.
“You took away the life of a much-loved and valued member of the community, you removed him from the life of his partner and his unborn child.
“It is a tragedy for which you are fully responsible.”
He noted Aweng’s “significant and concerning criminal history”, which included punching a man to the ground in 2017 outside Melbourne’s State Library and stomping on his head as he lay unconscious.
Justice Tinney said the protection of the community had loomed large in his determination of an appropriate sentence.
He also described the stabbing of Anyang as “very dangerous conduct” and noted her injuries “will always serve to her as a reminder of what happened that night”.
Aweng, who was supported in court by six family members and friends, will be eligible for parole in 19 years and has already served two years and seven months of his sentence.
