A man has been found guilty of attempted murder by a jury in the ACT Supreme Court following a violent stabbing incident in Canberra. The court heard that the accused, 34-year-old John Smith, attacked the victim with a knife in a suburban street in February 2023, leaving him with life-threatening wounds.
Details of the Attack
The prosecution presented evidence that Smith approached the victim from behind and stabbed him multiple times in the chest and abdomen. The victim, a 28-year-old man, was rushed to Canberra Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He survived but suffered permanent scarring and nerve damage. The attack was captured on CCTV, which showed Smith fleeing the scene.
During the trial, the jury heard that there had been a prior altercation between the two men, but the exact motive remained unclear. The Crown argued that Smith intended to kill the victim, citing the number and severity of the stab wounds. Defense counsel claimed that Smith acted in self-defense, but the jury rejected this argument after three days of deliberation.
Verdict and Sentencing
The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after six hours of deliberation. Justice Margaret Brown adjourned the case for sentencing submissions, with a date to be set. The maximum penalty for attempted murder in the ACT is life imprisonment. Smith was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
Detective Senior Constable Lisa Nguyen, who led the investigation, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack that could have easily resulted in a death. We are pleased that the jury has delivered a just verdict, and we hope the victim can now move forward with his life.”
Impact on the Community
The incident shook the quiet suburban neighborhood, with residents expressing relief at the verdict. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said in a statement read to the court that he continues to suffer from anxiety and flashbacks. The case highlights the ongoing issue of knife crime in Canberra, which has seen a slight increase in recent years according to ACT Policing statistics.
