A former amateur boxer who stabbed his mate to death and burnt his body over a $50 debt has been jailed.
Robert Musso proclaimed his innocence and abused journalists from the dock of a Melbourne court during his sentencing hearing.
The 38-year-old was sentenced on Wednesday to 24 years’ prison after killing 32-year-old Thomas O’Connell.
A former amateur boxer who stabbed his mate (pictured is Thomas O’Connell) to death and burnt his body over a $50 debt has been jailed
Robert Musso proclaimed his innocence and abused journalists from the dock of a Melbourne court during his sentencing hearing (pictured is the burnt out car)
Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth noted Musso was impulsive and prone to volatile outbursts.
Before the sentencing, he abused reporters in the court, yelling out ‘fake news’ and saying to one journalist ‘get out of here, you germ’.
Justice Hollingworth said Mr O’Connell’s body was found on February 5, 2016 in a car engulfed in flames beside the Hume Freeway at Wandong.
‘I’m innocent,’ Musso yelled from the dock.
The 38-year-old was sentenced on Wednesday to 24 years’ prison after killing 32-year-old Thomas O’Connell (pictured are police at the crime scene)
‘The jury found otherwise Mr Musso, be quiet,’ Justice Hollingworth responded.
‘I don’t care what the jury said,’ Musso replied.
The exact circumstances of Mr O’Connell’s death were unknown, but the events had been pieced together from friends and witnesses, Justice Hollingworth said.
She noted Musso had become increasingly agitated over a $50 debt he believed Mr O’Connell owed him, texting and calling him repeatedly.
Justice Hollingworth said Mr O’Connell’s body was found on February 5, 2016 in a car engulfed in flames beside the Hume Freeway at Wandong (pictured is Mr O’Connell’s car)
She said a 15 to 30cm knife wound perforated Mr O’Connell’s lungs and penetrated his oesophagus.
She said the victim’s body was so badly burnt it took several days to identify him, with his loved ones fearing he may have been burnt alive.
Musso, who is the father of a one-year-old girl, will be eligible for parole after 19 years in jail.
Before the sentencing, he abused reporters in the court, yelling out ‘fake news’ and saying to one journalist ‘get out of here, you germ’ (pictured is Melbourne Magistrates Court)