The brother of a woman who was murdered, quartered and buried in a strawberry patch more than 20 years ago has told the Supreme Court that the killer is a “monster” who remains a danger to the community if released .
Key points:
- Joanne Lillecrapp brought Nicole McGuinness and Donna Lee Casagrande to help them eliminate their drug habits
- But the couple killed and dismembered Mrs. Lillecrapp
- McGuinness was jailed for 18 years for the murder while Casagrande pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Nicole Therese Courcier McGuinness was using drugs when she killed Joanne Lillecrapp, 53, in November 2001.
Mrs. Lillecrapp’s dismembered remains were buried in her backyard in the suburbs of Angle Vale under a patch of strawberries.
McGuinness was sentenced to life in prison in 2003 with a sentence of 18 years without parole.
The court learned that she relapsed into drug use after being released from prison for the first time last year and has been arrested twice for parole offenses.
He is now looking for release again.
The court previously learned that McGuinness had been drug-free for 12 years, but returned to drugs after searching Google and seeing articles in the media about his crime.
Truck driver Joanne Lillecrapp was killed and quartered in 2001. (ABC News)
In considering McGuinness’ request for release, the court must allow the victim’s family the opportunity to be heard.
Mrs Lillecrapp’s brother, Ron Lillecrapp, read in person his victim’s impact statement in court.
“I am in total disbelief at the suggestion of his release to the community … because I think it is a dangerous and unpredictable job,” he told the court.
“I think it’s a danger to the community.”
Lillecrapp told the court he was totally upset at the prospect of McGuinness coming out of prison.
“I’m afraid this monster thinks he can be rehabilitated in the community and every time he’s had the privilege he’s gone to drugs and relapsed,” he told the court.
“I can’t express enough how this has affected my life, along with other people, and I wish there was a way to say completely what I think.
“I’m hurt, I’m angry, I’m frustrated.
The house in Angle Park where the remains of Joanne Lillecrapp were found. (ABC News)
“I have to live with this for the rest of my life. So who has the life sentence here?”
McGuinness watched the proceedings via a video link from the custody and sat mostly with his head down, and could be heard sniffing and crying.
Speaking to the media outside the court after the hearing, Lillecrapp said McGuinness deserved to be in prison for life.
Nicole McGuinness, who murdered Joanne Lillecrapp, returns to court for violating her drug parole conditions. (ABC News)
“I think keep it locked and throw away the key, but that won’t happen,” he said.
“It’s as raw as it was 20 years ago.”
He said he feared what would happen if McGuinness was released and relapsed into drugs.
“He gets out, takes drugs, puts two and two together and gets to another dead person, that’s my thought.”
The judge reserved his decision and did not give a date for his decision.
Posted 2 hours ago 2 hours agoFrom July 7, 2022 at 9:10 AM, updated 2 hours ago 2 hours ago Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 9:12 AM