A teenager stabbed his stepfather 35 times because he was trying to break free from a “bear hug”, a jury has heard.
The boy, whose identity is legally protected, has pleaded not guilty to murder after being charged with the fatal stabbing of his stepfather on September 7, 2022.
The teenager, who was 16 at the time, felt “scared” and believed his stepfather intended to kill him that night, defense lawyer Charlotte Smith stated in Brisbane Supreme Court today.
The jury heard that the boy attempted to calm the situation by going to the bathroom after his stepfather called him “weak” and a “pussy,” Smith argued in her closing remarks.
However, the jury was told the boy was followed by his stepfather who said: “Where are my keys? I’ll take you for a ride.”
Smith said the stepdad then said: “I know you f—-ing want to do something.”
The pair then got into a physical altercation, with the stepfather grabbing him by the collar, she said.
The boy pulled a knife from out of his pocket and slashed at his stepfather in an attempt to break free of a “bear hug”, the court was told.
“That’s (the defendant’s) version. It explains the injuries. It explains why this happened and it would lead you to an acquittal,” Smith told the jury.
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks told the court the knife was 23.9cm in length and required “thought and deliberation” to use.
“The knife used by the defendant in this attack was no ordinary knife,” she said.
“It’s not a knife that you forget that you have in your hand. It has real weight and heft to it.
“You might think it requires a good, solid or firm grip, and that such a firm grip would be needed to consistently yield the knife in order to inflict so many wounds on (the victim’s) body.”
Prosecutors argued the position and nature of the victim’s injuries indicated the stepfather was trying to defend himself by putting his arms up in front of himself.
The boy had consumed five shots of whiskey and had smoked cannabis on the night of the incident, the jury heard.
The trial before Justice Frances Williams continues.
