Romano Mitchel receives 15 years in prison for murder of Stephen Jacobs

Romano Mitchel was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of Stephen Jacobs on May 10.

Mitchel had been found guilty of murder on November 14 for stabbing Jacobs to death on May 28, 2018.

Proceedings on May 10 started with a social worker whose report was brought by the defence, who testified to the personal circumstances of Mitchel.

Father of two

In her testimony, she testified to his home conditions which included his mother leaving the family when Mitchel was still a young boy.

According to her, he was brought up by his father and his second wife who tried to provide everything he needed growing up.

In her testimony, she stipulated Mitchel might be affected by the void left by his mother leaving.

Mitchel is the father of two children, one aged 10 and the other one. The one-year-old is dependent on Mitchel as breadwinner, but his mother is in the process of applying for financial aid.

The social worker testified that in her conversations with Mitchel he pleaded guilty to the killing of Jacobs even though he did not mean to and acted out of self-defence.

She indicated he feels remorse and takes full responsibility but could not get into contact with the deceased’s family to apologise.

During cross-examination, she said that once the court pronounced him guilty he also saw himself as guilty.

Impact on family

The State brought one witness, a social worker who conducted a victim impact study with the deceased’s family. The study was conducted with Jacobs’s father, mother and brother.

In her testimony, she indicated the murder of Jacobs had an immense effect on the family.

His father indicated the family’s health had worsened following his death. His mother was diagnosed with anxiety after the incident. Jacobs’s brother, according to the social worker, has changed following the incident, becoming more irritable and colder.

The family indicated they are afraid to be in the open following the incident. The family reportedly also suffered financial losses, having to settle Jacobs’s debts and pay for his funeral.

In cross-examination, the defence asked the social worker whether she asked what the nature of their illnesses and the nature of the expenses taken by the family was. She replied she had not.

Asked court to show mercy

When stating the merits of their arguments, the defence laid the following which they consider substantial and compelling reasons to reduce his sentence.

The murder conviction is Mitchel’s first offence, the murder was not premeditated and he is the breadwinner for his one-year-old son, who will have to grow up without a father.

The defence also asked the court to show mercy.

In the State’s reputation, they laid before the court the seriousness and prevalence of his offence, that he is not the primary caregiver of his son and that he only showed remorse after the judgment was delivered and does still not accept the court’s finding that it was not self-defence.

Society lives in fear

In her sentence, presiding officer magistrate Leeann Singh spoke to the seriousness of the offence.

She indicated that murder is an extremely serious matter and has become prevalent in her court.

“It has become so common that members of society have great fear and anxiety,” said Singh.

She stated it is the court’s duty to uphold law and order. In the sentencing, she indicated the reasons given to reduce the sentence were not substantial and compelling. Singh handed down the minimum sentence of 15 years for murder.

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