DPP v O'Neill [2015] VSC 25; DPP v O'Neill [2015] VSCA 325

WARNING: Disturbing content

In 2013, Michael Anthony O'Neill pleaded guilty to murdering his partner of 16 years, Stuart Rattle.

The relationship was marked with disputes and a power imbalance to culminated in the tragic events of 4 December 2013 in which Michael hit Stuart over the head with a frying pan and strangled him with a dog lead.

He left the corpse in their shared unit for a few days, before setting the unit on fire.

A key question of the case was motive. Did Michael kill his partner to hide the financial distress he caused for both them and their business? Or did Michael simply snap after one argument, and one insult too many?