A 25-year-old man, Connor Bullus, has been found not criminally responsible for the fatal stabbing of his 61-year-old housemate, Donna Baraket, at a home in Tweed Heads West in 2024.

The NSW Supreme Court in Sydney delivered a special verdict after reviewing six psychologists' reports. Justice Greg Sirtes stated the verdict was justified because Bullus was suffering from a mental health impairment and schizophrenic disorder, which rendered him unable to determine that his actions were wrong.

The court heard that Bullus had been living with Baraket for four months before the incident. The fatal stabbing occurred after Baraket refused to share her cannabis with him. Bullus described Baraket as "always accusing me of things I haven't done" and declined a social worker's offer to arrange alternative accommodation through Link2Home.

Baraket had been a carer for her mother for 10 years, and her death left the elderly woman alone, according to a statement presented in court. A neighbour told police that Baraket was known to help homeless people and that some visitors to the house were frequent.

Justice Sirtes ordered that Bullus be detained in a correctional facility or another appropriate place, with the matter to be referred to the Mental Health Review Tribunal for further proceedings.

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Notable Quotes

  • "when she refused to share her cannabis with him. The court heard a neighbour told police that Donna Baraket was known to help homeless people, and that some visitors to the house were"
  • "always accusing me of things I haven't done"