Shooting victims split killer’s assets

Court publishes Neubert findings to shine light on domestic violence

A HORRIFIC act of domestic violence and suburban bloodshed has resulted in a killer being stripped of nearly all assets as he spends the rest of his life in jail.

Klaus Dieter Neubert executed his wife Olga in traffic at New Town in 2015.

Mrs Neubert was driving along Risdon Rd with friend Josephine Ramos Cooper when her 75-year-old husband, from whom she had separated in 2014, cut off their vehicle with his four-wheel-drive and got out. He fired a shortened firearm at point blank range but did not kill Mrs Neubert.

Ms Cooper instinctively reached over with her hand in a feeble attempt to protect Mrs Neubert but he moved even closer, pushing his gun barrel against Ms Cooper’s palm which was against her friend’s head.

The court heard Ms Cooper looked the killer in the eye and asked him to stop. Returning her gaze he said nothing and fired the gun, killing his wife.

Neubert was jailed for 28 years in what the judge described as “selfish, brutal and callous crimes” committed because he had no other way of “exerting control” over his wife. Ms Cooper, left with an almost inoperative hand along with psychological injuries, was this year awarded $2.3 mil- lion after bringing a damages claim against Neubert.

Before her death, Mrs Neubert initiated family law proceedings against her husband.

Her estate continued proceedings after the murder with Ms Cooper joining the case in order to receive her compensation.

In a rare move the Family Court allowed its decision to be published, in a manner which identifies the parties, in order to shine “a light on the abominable behaviour of those who inflict domestic violence”.

Early on in the proceedings Neubert attempted to keep 80 per cent of the family’s assets.

But after Ms Cooper was awarded damages, Neubert insisted his murdered wife’s estate should receive 50 per cent.

Justice Robert Benjamin saw through the move as an attempt to reduce the pool of funds available to Ms Cooper.

It would have also increased the transfer of assets to his grandchildren, who were named in Mrs Neubert’s will.

Instead Justice Benjamin said Neubert’s property would be divided between his late wife’s estate and Ms Cooper.

“The husband will be left with no property of any value apart from a small monthly pension from Country Y,” he said. The complete court judgment Neubert (deceased) & Neubert is available at www.familycourt.gov.au.