Posted on 10/31/2018 9:54:42 AM PDT by Gamecock
The quarrel over the omelette was the "final straw" for Peter John Smith, 70, who had spent substantial amounts of money trying to help his son, Andrew, get clean from a five-year on-and-off addiction to ice and synthetic cannabis, the Supreme Court heard.
At the time of the shooting last year, 30-year-old Andrew Smith had been clean for a few weeks, was working full time and living with his parents in Mulgrave.
Andrew Smith, a father himself of two young children, had been drinking with his parents at home on the evening of December 18 when an argument started over dinner.
He had been cooking an omelette, but after burning it, tossed it in the backyard.
Peter Smith became angry, saying it could harm the family dog.
"F*** the dog, f*** you!" Andrew Smith replied.
"You'll be dead in a year," he said, referring to cancer treatment that his father had recently undergone.
The argument continued, and Andrew Smith went inside to his room and shut the door.
After eating dinner, Peter Smith walked to his caravan outside, got out his double-barrelled shotgun, and loaded it with ammunition.
"I'm going to kill the c*** and then I'm going to kill myself," he said to his wife as he walked back inside.
"Yeah right, of course you are," she replied, thinking he was joking.
Peter Smith then walked into his son's room and shot him twice in the body while he was lying on his bed. He died instantly.
'It's over now. I don't have to worry'
He later told police he had just had enough.
"It just happened. I couldn't take it anymore. It's over now. I don't have to worry," he told police.
The court heard the relationship between the father and son had been up and down over the years.
Though they frequently argued, they were seldom violent.
In sentencing, Justice Andrew Tinney said despite the father and son's issues, there was still love and affection between the pair.
"Whatever had happened in the years leading up to this tragic event … he remained your son," he said.
"You were meant to be in a position of great trust where he was concerned.
"You allowed your anger and sadness to overcome all reason."
"Yours was a shocking, senseless and inexcusable crime."
Children will grow up without father Justice Tinney said it was a particular tragedy that Andrew Smith's two young children would grow up not knowing their father.
He said for all of the younger man's faults, he had shown his children that they were important to him and would have fulfilled an important role in their lives.
Family members of the victim and accused cried in court as the sentence was read out.
Peter Smith will be eligible for parole in 14 years.
Peter Smith became angry, saying it could harm the family dog.
So this is really more about the dog than a burned omelette.
Sad. Just sad. I am sure there will be comments about it meant as humorous, but I just cannot see it.
That, or F-bombs.
The father could have been mentally ill, or...he just couldn’t take it anymore after taking owership of his son’s issues then carrying them for that long. Turned my stomach to read it.
IDk..The son sounds like a lost case, He’s out in 14 years and no deadbeat addict son to put up with and his grandkids were saved the heartache of an addicted dad. Not saying he doesn’t deserve some time. imho... he did everyone a favor taking his deadbeat son out. Of mice and men comes to mind..
Nice family.
However, I have to admit that years and years of my husband not listening to me about putting food in the recycling containers about sent me over the edge last week.
PMS and yucky trash cans don’t mix well.
Down under, events like this are not surprising in Bogan world.
So many families dealing with addiction.
Pray for them
Giving a recovering addict alcohol, and then blaming him for his behavior...what could go wrong..
Nearly brought tears to my eyes. The guy spent five years trying, spent a lot his own money trying to help, still had the guy living under his roof, and his son spitefully told him that he was going to be dead in a year during the argument.
God. Now they have both paid.
Marvin Gaye and his dad came to my mind...
ok now, not recycling or putting food in the recycling bin is a sin. But you can always divorce the guy or just take your nasty trasy cans as a necessary evil. You dont have to shoot him. maybe hes just a louse ... that you married. Buy him a rescue pitbull and move out of the house for a few weeks.... ..Or bring home a new Ruger redhawk and a western holdster,,..and practice your quick draw in the kitchen .whenever he is throw stuff in the wrong can. .
IMO, these 2 kids are better off not living with an addict who couldn’t get straight, despite what apparently was many months of family trying to help.
Those kids might have grown up to mimic what they saw their father do for years.
It could be divorceable. The question before the freakout was “do you forget about the food or do you just blow off what I say and not give a crap”? Blank stare, followed by “what’s the big deal, who cares”.
Considering I’m pretty much responsible for everything except the yardwork..... I can hire a lawn company.
Cheers!
Obviously, Australia needs more gun laws.
“Justice Tinney said it was a particular tragedy that Andrew Smith’s two young children would grow up not knowing their father.”
“He said for all of the younger man’s faults, he had shown his children that they were important to him and would have fulfilled an important role in their lives.”
I’m with you. The children didn’t need this guy in their lives...at all. The judge is an idiot.
Awful. Prayers for this family.
Bet the dog enjoyed the omelette, burnt or not.
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