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The son of former Adelaide Crows coach Phil Walsh has been found not guilty of his father’s murder due to mental incompetence.
Cy Walsh was charged with his father Phil’s murder after the 55-year-old was killed by a number of stab wounds in the Walsh family home in Adelaide in July of last year.
The defence pleaded not guilty to the charge by reason of mental incompetence, and the South Australian Supreme Court ruled in favour of Walsh on Wednesday morning. The ruling means the court was satisfied that Walsh was the person who killed his father, but, on account of his mental state, he is not held criminally responsible for the crime.
Justice Ann Bampton found that Walsh was undergoing a schizophrenic episode when his father was stabbed, and that he was not intoxicated by drugs or alcohol at the time.
“I find he was suffering from a psychotic episode as a result of schizophrenia, which at the time of the conduct was undiagnosed,” Justice Bampton said.
In keeping with South Australian law, Cy Walsh will live the rest of his life under a psychiatric supervision order.
The vast majority of the evidence involved in the case has been suppressed, although the suppression orders are set to be reviewed by Justice Bampton following the not guilty verdict.
Phil Walsh’s wife, Meredith, gave a statement to the court following the ruling.
“My heart remains broken. My daughter is also shattered,” she said.
“We now all live the devastating consequences of a mental illness that was not understood.
“I will continue to love and support my son as his father has always done.”
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