A man who stabbed a paramedic to death after believing he'd heard demonic voices has been found not criminally responsible for the killing, angering bereaved family members.
Jordan James Fineanganofo admitted stabbing 29-year-old paramedic Steven Tougher 55 times outside a McDonald's in Campbelltown, in southwest Sydney, in the early hours of April 14, 2023.
The 23-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder on the grounds of mental health impairment and a NSW Supreme Court judge on Friday found the elements of the defence had been established.
"I accept the psychiatric evidence on the balance of probabilities that the accused suffered from a mental health impairment," Justice David Davies said.
"That mental impairment had the effect that the accused did not know that his actions were wrong."
Fineanganofo had no interaction with Mr Tougher before the chilling and unprovoked attack, which lasted close to four minutes, the court heard.
Despite the efforts of several people to help, Fineanganofo continued to stab the young father, walking away several times before returning to inflict more wounds on the NSW Ambulance worker as he lay on the ground.
Speaking after the decision, the slain paramedic's father Jeff Tougher said the family were appalled by the outcome and the circumstances surrounding his son's death.
"This fella made my son beg for his life ... and he took it anyway," he said.
"The sad thing is if this bloke had come to Steven at that point and said 'I need help', he would have got it."
The paramedic's wife, Madison, was pregnant with the couple's second child at the time of the killing.
Fineanganofo was also cleared of acts comprising a mini-rampage leading up to the stabbing, including menacing a woman with a five-month-old baby at a Bunnings.
Fineanganofo also had several chilling encounters with other strangers, including confronting a man outside a 7-Eleven service station while holding a knife.
Prosecutors agreed to the special verdict being appropriate for Fineanganofo after two psychiatrists diagnosed him with schizophrenia.
But Jeff Tougher said the family was deeply offended at not being consulted prior to the decision being made.
The family will be calling for an inquest and meeting with Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson to discuss flaws in the system.
"What has become very obvious to us is that it took this man to kill Steven in order for him to receive the care he supposedly needs," Jeff Tougher said.
Forensic psychiatrist Kerri Eagle, who was engaged by the prosecution, found Fineanganofo was suffering from a psychotic illness at the time, consistent with a relapse of schizophrenia.
He had largely stopped eating and sleeping in the days leading up to the attack, and claimed to be hearing voices which he believed to be demons, according to a report by Dr Eagle.
Fineanganofo was first diagnosed with schizophrenia following an assault on a neighbour in 2021, after which he faced court and was committed for involuntary treatment.
During that treatment he was prescribed anti-psychotic medicines used to treat schizophrenia and mania, which the court heard he stopped taking upon being discharged in November 2022.
Following Friday's verdict, Fineanganofo was remanded in custody and a hearing was set down for Thursday to make further orders.
As he was led from the court, several people yelled out from a large group of Mr Tougher's family and supporters.
"You're the demon," one person said.
Fineanganofo's family members quickly left the court after the verdict in the company of his solicitor, Javid Faiz.
"On behalf of the family we'd like to express deep and sincere empathy and their condolences," Mr Faiz said.
"It's a tragic matter."
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
