A legal loophole that allowed alleged murderers to argue they killed someone in self-defence while affected by self-induced intoxication will soon be closed in South Australia.
The campaign for the law change was spearheaded by the family of Synamin Bell, whose killer, Cody Edwards, successfully used the defence to have his murder charge downgraded to manslaughter.
Edwards was given an 11-year sentence over Bell’s death.
“It’s heartbreaking. This guy is going to be out pretty much at the turn of the decade, and he shouldn’t be out,” said the victim’s brother, Paul.
The family launched a fight for the legal loophole to be closed, and today were successful, when South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher announced the introduction of “Synamin’s Law”.
It will prevent killers from arguing self-defence when their psychosis is brought on by their own decision to take drugs.
“I think all South Australians were shocked with many aspects of this case,” Maher said.
“No one should have to go through what Synamin Bell’s family and friends have gone through.”
The closing of the legal loophole has been welcomed by the family, who say they’ll now have some peace knowing their fight will help others.
“We’ve paid the ultimate price. But hopefully the price we paid means no one else has to pay that price,” Paul Bell said.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
