Jail after ‘senseless’ killing of neighbour
An out-of-work barman who stabbed his neighbour to death in “cold-blood” after an early morning row over loud music has been jailed for at least 10 years.
Tristan Ross Locke, 31, was found guilty of murdering neighbour Mark Graham Cowling, 44, on last Father’s Day, September 6, 2020, after a trial at the High Court in Christchurch last month.
American-born Locke became so incensed with Cowling phoning noise control, and cutting power to his flat at least twice over a few hours, that he took a knife, went next door, and stabbed him to death, the trial heard.
Yesterday, Locke was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years.
Cowling’s father Graham, who lives in New Plymouth, says the impact of his son’s murder in “coldblood” has been overwhelming.
“Mark’s death is, without comparison, the most distressing, heartbreaking and disgusting thing I’ve ever had to endure,” he said in an emotional victim impact statement.
I hate Tristan for what he has done to our family. Rebecca McMaster, Cowling’s fiance
Since he was told his son had been killed, he’s suffered a deep sadness and depression, which requires medication.
Cowling had moved to Christchurch six years ago to forge a new life. He worked tirelessly and was well on his way to achieving his goal of his own home with his young family.
“I’m proud of what he had achieved,” the devastated father said, sobbing in court.
Cowling’s mother Carol Cowling remembers a fun-loving, inquisitive, independent and caring son who had a large and loving heart.
Now, her joy in life has “dimmed” — nothing gives her the pleasure it once did.
Rebecca McMaster, Cowling’s fiance and mother of his young child, said the murder has torn their lives apart. “I hate Tristan for what he has done to our family,” said McMaster, who is now left scared, anxious and lonely. McMaster went into survival mode after her partner’s death, trying to stay strong for their child.
She wants to see Locke stay in prison for the rest of his life, not wanting him to ever be given the opportunity to destroy another family.
Crown prosecutor Barnaby Hawes highlighted Locke’s “disproportionate response to what was really a trivial conflict”.
But his lawyer, defence counsel Kirsten Gray said Locke’s psychological make-up — he is on the autism spectrum disorder with a form of Asperger syndrome and antisocial personality disorder — was a contributing cause in the killing. Justice Cameron Mander called the killing an “entirely senseless act”.
The judge also highlighted Locke’s previous convictions and propensity to arm himself when facing conflict, including in 2012 when he stabbed an associate in a fight, and approaching a noise control officer outside his house with a knife before the killing.
In sentencing Locke to life imprisonment with a minimum nonparole period of 10 years, Justice Mander stressed that life in prison “means just that” and that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars until the Parole Board is satisfied that he is no longer a risk to the community.