Family Fights 'Not Guilty' Verdict in Murder Case

Nikkita Azzopardi, 35, was killed by her partner Joel Micallef, 34, with a fire iron in their South Morang home on October 26 last year. Ms. Azzopardi had been preparing to leave Micallef, packing her bags and car, before he allegedly locked her inside the house. Her brothers discovered her body two days later, making a horrific discovery inside the home.

The Victorian Supreme Court found Micallef not guilty of murder due to mental impairment, citing evidence of schizophrenia and acute psychosis. However, Ms. Azzopardi's brothers, Shaun and Darren, reject this diagnosis, believing there was clear motive and intent, and that Micallef controlled their sister. They claim evidence of Micallef's medication being unused further contradicts the mental impairment claim.

The family is deeply hurt by the verdict and Micallef's planned transfer to a mental health facility. They feel their concerns were dismissed by prosecutors and are advocating for reforms to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997. The Office of Public Prosecutions stated they acted on the advice of forensic psychiatrists who assessed Micallef as mentally impaired at the time of the offense.