Shaun Robert Sturgess, aged 54, recently faced an unsuccessful appeal to overturn his murder conviction for the brutal killing of his wife, Jacqueline, with a sledgehammer. The incident, described by authorities as a “cowardly rage,” occurred in April 2020 at their former residence in Narangba, north of Brisbane. Police discovered Jacqueline lying face down in a pool of her own blood, with her body left for over 24 hours before being found.
Sturgess had initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter at his trial in February 2024; however, the prosecution, led by Chris Cook, opted to pursue a murder charge which the jury subsequently upheld. Sturgess was ultimately found guilty of murder.
During the recent appeal, Sturgess’s defence raised several points, including concerns that the jury was improperly informed about prior violent incidents in their relationship. Defence barrister Saul Holt argued this could have led to a miscarriage of justice. He also claimed that the jury lacked adequate guidance from the trial judge regarding hearsay evidence and the element of intent that needed to be established by the prosecution.
However, the Queensland Court of Appeal judges unanimously rejected Sturgess’s appeal, asserting that the jury’s awareness of past violence was pertinent background information and did not compromise the fairness of the trial. Justice Soraya Ryan noted that even if the previous incidents were deemed problematic, they likely did not alter the jury’s decision to convict him for murder.
Sturgess had struck his wife with a single, powerful blow, indicating an intention to either kill or inflict serious harm, rather than acting out of an unpremeditated rage as his defence suggested. The appeal court highlighted multiple statements Sturgess made, including one where he said, “She’s probably driven me to it. But she didn’t deserve that,” which were seen as evidence of his intent at the time of the incident.
Sentenced to life imprisonment, Sturgess must serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole, though this has been reduced to 16 years and two months due to time served. In sentencing, Justice Tom Sullivan remarked on Sturgess’s self-pity during police interviews, noting his actions before and after the crime, including leaving the scene to drink alcohol without checking on Jacqueline’s condition.
This case underscores the tragic reality of domestic violence and its devastating consequences, with resources available for those affected by these issues, such as Lifeline and the National Domestic Violence Service.