'Weak little b******' husband jailed for strangling wife
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Melbourne man who strangled his controlling de facto wife in a fit of rage has been jailed for 14 years.
Anthony Sherna strangled Susanne Wild - his partner of 18 years - with a dressing gown cord in February 2008 after she woke their pet dog Hubble with her shouting.
He then buried her in their backyard in Tarneit, in south-west Melbourne, after enduring years of emotional abuse at her hands.
Forensic psychologist Jeffrey Cummins testified that Sherna suffered from depression and a chronic mood disorder. He compensated by becoming a workaholic and alcoholic, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Cummins also said Sherna showed signs of "battered woman syndrome".
Sherna, now 41, first met Wild when he was 23 and she 35.
Early in their relationship Wild resumed an affair with a former boyfriend, and called Sherna "a weak little bastard" for tolerating her infidelity.
She also made him change his surname, banned him from seeing friends or family, forbade him from sleeping in their bed or using the toilet at home and controlled all his money - despite the fact that Sherna was the sole breadwinner.
Today, Victorian Supreme Court Justice David Beach jailed him for 14 years with a minimum of 10.
"Even though she was controlling and domineering, and even if his account of their relationship was true, it did not justify him killing her," Justice Beach said.
Sherna had pleaded not guilty to murder, and a jury found him guilty on the lesser charge of manslaughter three weeks ago.
Source: The New Zealand Herald
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments