Ten years for killing surgeon with ‘coward punch’

A MAN who killed an Otagotrained heart surgeon with a single punch at a Melbourne hospital will serve at least a decade behind bars after becoming the first person sentenced under Victoria’s ‘‘coward punch’’ laws.

Patrick PritzwaldStegmann (41) sustained fatal head injuries when punched by Joseph Esmaili at Box Hill Hospital in May 2017.

His killer, now 24, was found guilty of manslaughter last year and was yesterday ordered to spend up to 10 years and six months in jail.

Esmaili is the first person to receive a mandatory minimum decadelong prison term under the coward punch laws, meaning he must serve at least 10 years before becoming eligible for release on parole.

Mr PritzwaldStegmann was leaving the hospital when he stopped to tell a group — including Esmaili — to stop smoking near the entrance.

An argument broke out between the pair.

‘‘Unfortunately, neither of you was prepared to simply walk away from the argument,’’ Justice Hollingworth said.

Esmaili punched the surgeon with such force he was knocked unconscious and suffered ‘‘catastrophic’’ injuries when his head hit the floor.

His family switched off his life support a month later.

Justice Hollingworth said his death had turned the lives of his family, including his wife and young twin daughters, upside down.

Esmaili had expressed some remorse for his actions that day, but still blamed Mr PritzwaldStegmann for what had occurred, evidenced by his repeated claim he had acted in selfdefence.

‘‘You still have some way to go before you genuinely accept responsibility for your actions that day,’’ the judge told him. — AAP