Bodybuilder killed partner in 6-knife frenzy
Killer bodybuilder Sven Lindemann will be jailed for 31 years, with a non-parole period of 25 years over the frenzied six-knife stabbing of his partner Monique Lezsak after she attempted to end their relationship.
Lindemann had previously pleaded guilty to the murder of Ms Lezsak, 39, as well as recklessly injuring her 10-year-old daughter, given the pseudonym of Lily, who was found covered in her mother’s blood after intervening in the horrific attack.
Had he not entered into a plea, Lindemann would have been sentenced to a total of 37 years, Justice Hollingworth said.
On May 30, 2023 the Melbourne man stabbed his ex-partner 17 times on her head, neck and chest in their Endeavour Hills house, in Melbourne’s southeast, with the attack occurring in the days after Ms Lezsak attempted to end their five-year relationship.
While Lindemann ducked the maximum penalty of a life sentence, Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed a “brutal, frenzied attack,” adding that domestic homicide was “not a less serious category of murder because of the pre-existing relationship”.
She said it was “sheer luck” Lily was not seriously injured, and said Lindemann failed in his duty as a stepfather to protect Lily and her twin brother from harm by subjecting them to a terrifying ordeal.
Justice Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed a “rational act,” which was motivated by jealousy, and an “unwillingness to allow your partner to move on with her life”.
She noted his “hypocrisy and sense of entitlement,” that caused him to become “enraged” by the thought Ms Lezsak “might choose to leave you and start a relationship with someone she’d recently met”. This is despite the fact that he had previously cheated on his ex-wife.
However Justice Hollingworth accepted there was “no evidence” his attack was premeditated, and she accepted it was a relatively spontaneous act.
Daughter’s bravery praised
Graphic details were revealed in previous hearings, which detailed how Lily saw Ms Lezsak dragged from the bedroom, to the kitchen, after Lindemann’s knife broke.
In total, Lindemann used six knives in the attack, and inflicted seven stab wounds and 10 slashing wounds on Ms Lezsak, with Lily sustaining five wounds in the attack.
The court was told Lily managed to disarm Lindemann twice, before she called triple-0, with the attack unfolding while Lily’s twin brother was in a nearby room.
On Wednesday, Justice Hollingworth also noted Lily’s “bravery,” and commended her attempts to save her mum.
“Hopefully as she grows up, Lily will come to understand that there was nothing more she could have done to save her mother who would have been so very proud of his courage and determination,” she said.
Lindemann ordered to stop ‘crocodile tears’
Prior to adjourning the case for sentencing earlier this month, Justice Hollingworth said Lindemann had committed the “terrible” act after a day of “seething”.
“He was so angry he dragged her through the house, he grabbed six different knives and was able to break two of them in the process,” she said.
“He was not deterred by a 10-year-old girl trying to stop him … He was out of control, ferocious and determined to kill her.”
Justice Hollingworth also admonished the bodybuilder for wailing in court, demanding he “stop the crocodile tears”.
“It’s not remotely persuasive. It’s a bit late for him to pretend he’s remorseful,” she said.
“The evidence is completely to the contrary. He still maintains she ruined his life, he doesn’t accept that he killed her and ruined his own life.”
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