Daughter accused of cutting off her mother’s head with kitchen knives and throwing it into a neighbour’s yard pleads not guilty to murder after the victim was found decapitated in their home
- Jessica Camilleri, 26, has pleaded not guilty to murdering her mother Rita, 57
- Camilleri is accused of decapitating her mother with kitchen knives
- Police at the time alleged the pair had argued before the dispute turned violent
A woman has pleaded not guilty to murdering her mother by cutting off her head with kitchen knives in their western Sydney home.
‘Not guilty to murder, not guilty to murder,’ Jessica Camilleri, 26, told the NSW Supreme Court on Friday.
Camilleri was arrested in July 2019 after her mother Rita, 57, was found dead in their St Clair home.
Jessica Camilleri has pleaded not guilty to murdering her mother by cutting off her head with kitchen knives in their western Sydney home
Police at the time alleged the women had argued before the dispute turned violent and neighbours raised the alarm.
The matter is due to return to the same court on July 20 for a pre-trial hearing.
In January Magistrate Geoffrey Hiatt told the court if Camilleri pleads guilty she could receive a discounted sentence.
‘The amount of discount depends on when you plead guilty,’ he said.
These discussions were intended to take place in March.
Nathan Steel, Camilleri’s defence lawyer, previously told the court she was fit to stand trial, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The issue was raised in local court, prompting the proceedings to move up to a higher court.
Camilleri was arrested in July 2019 after her mother Rita, 57, (pictured) was found dead in their St Clair home