Sudanese refugee jailed for murder
Christine Flatley
September 8, 2009 - 1:39PM
A Sudanese refugee has been jailed for life for stabbing his wife to death just months after she arrived in Australia.
David Juma, 36, of Woodridge, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in the Queensland Supreme Court to murdering 30-year-old Lily Keji in December 2006.
The Brisbane court was told Juma and Ms Keji had met and married in 2004 while living as refugees in Uganda after fleeing war-torn Sudan.
Juma travelled to Australia soon after, where he obtained work and sent money to his new wife while she awaited government approval to join him.
Prosecutor Vicki Loury said the pair began arguing as soon as Ms Keji arrived in October 2006, and that there were several attempts at intervention by family members.
However, the arguing spiralled out of control on December 14 when they were at Juma's brother's home at Woodridge.
Ms Loury said Juma accused his wife of having AIDS, and that she retorted by calling Juma's mother a prostitute.
The court was told Juma went to the kitchen and retrieved a knife, which he then used to stab her 13 times, inflicting a fatal wound to her neck.
Another family member received cuts to the hand while trying to break up the fight.
Ms Loury said Juma then phoned police to confess, and was arrested a short time later.
She said Juma told police he had not meant to kill her, but that he had been angry because he felt she did not appreciate how hard he had worked to bring her to Australia.
He also said she often hit him, and that he suspected her of having an affair.
Defence barrister Bruce Mumford said his client was now extremely remorseful for his actions.
He said Juma had led a sad life, having lost his father when he was three years old.
Mr Mumford said Juma was raised by his alcoholic mother before he was forced to join the rebel army as a child soldier at age 16.
Juma on Tuesday also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to the brother who tried to break up his fatal fight with Ms Keji.
He received a four-year concurrent sentence for this offence.
Juma has already spend 998 days in pre-sentence custody.
This story was found at
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/breaking-news-national/sudanese-refugee-jailed-for-murder-20090908-ffbg.html