WA man jailed for life for murder of his sister
JOHN Michael MacKinnon fatally stabbed his sister during a drug- and alcohol-fuelled argument about money, then went after his nephew with the same bloodied knife, telling the teenager his mum was dead and he was next.
MacKinnon pleaded guilty to murder and causing grievous bodily harm, and was sentenced yesterday in the WA Supreme Court to life in prison with a minimum of 18 years to be served before he can be eligible for parole.
The 43-year-old had moved in with Angela MacKinnon and her 19-year-old son, Jesse Henwood, at their Gidgegannup home, northeast of Perth, about 18 months before the attack in March last year.
He had consumed up to 14 beers and cannabis during the day, while his sister and her son had also been drinking, the court heard.
During an argument about money that Ms MacKinnon claimed her brother owed her, she slapped him and he pushed her on to the couch.
Mr Henwood supported his mother and told MacKinnon to leave before he went upstairs to his bedroom.
Instead, MacKinnon grabbed a hunting knife and stabbed his sister several times, the court heard.
Mr Henwood heard his mother call out, then saw his uncle covered in bloodstains and coming for him with the same weapon.
He ran back to his bedroom, but MacKinnon pushed his way in and told him his mum was dead and he was next, then repeatedly slashed him.
As Mr Henwood begged his uncle to stop, MacKinnon told him he was going to die.
After the double-stabbing, MacKinnon threw the knife away while driving towards his ex-partner’s house.
Defence counsel Belinda Lonsdale said her client had significant gaps in his memory about what happened.
She said he “lashed out and mentally lost it” but never intended to kill Ms MacKinnon.
“He loved his sister. He’s still coming to terms with that – that he caused her death,” Ms Lonsdale said.
“It haunts him every day.”