James Pualic jailed for 24 years for brutal stabbing murder of his ex-girlfriend Logee Osias in front of her children

When Analyn “Logee” Osias sought a family violence order after her breakup, she thought she would be protected from her ex-partner.

But the order was not enough.

The mother-of-four was murdered by the man in her regional Victorian home three months later, in front of two of her children.

James William Pualic, 45, broke into the property in Bendigo shortly after 11pm on October 29, 2023, while Ms Osias and her young daughters were sleeping.

He smashed a window and then entered the house by prying open a connecting security door.

Ms Osias was dragged from her bed, with Pualic slamming her head into the floor and strangling her before stabbing her to death.

One of Ms. Osias’ children heard her screams and ran into the dining room to see her mother being attacked.

The young girl yelled at Pualic to stop, but he ignored her and called her mother a “bitch” before leaving the property and driving away.

Pualic (left) was sentenced on Friday to 24 years and six months in prison, but will be eligible for parole after 19 years

The child called triple zero but Ms Osias could not be saved when paramedics arrived.

Victorian Supreme Court Judge Rita Incerti described the murderous attack as “brutal and brutal” as she sentenced Pualic to 24 years and six months behind bars on Friday.

“You totally overpowered Mrs. Osias; she was completely defenseless against you,” the judge said.

“Your presence in these circumstances must have been terrifying as she tried in vain to defend herself.”

Ms Osias revoked the family violence intervention order in July 2023 after Pualic attacked her days after she broke up with him.

In a rare move, the media was allowed to report on the intervention order after Judge Incerti ruled that the public should know that Pualic had “blatantly ignored” an order intended to help Ms Osias.

“The full force of the law was not enough to protect her,” Judge Incerti said.

“Ms. Osias had the right to end her relationship without fear of harm.”

Ms Osias had her family violence intervention order revoked in July 2023 after Pualic attacked her days after she broke up with him

Pualic drank half a bottle of vodka and took twelve tablets of antipsychotic drugs on the day he committed the murder.

He had substance abuse problems and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, but those factors did not reduce the seriousness of his crime, Judge Incerti said.

She accepted that he had pleaded guilty to murder at an early stage, which showed his remorse and spared Ms Osias’ family from having to testify at a trial.

But it was a serious case of domestic violence and Pualic had previous convictions for assaulting others, the judge said.

“Your violation undermines our confidence in the law’s ability to adequately protect women and children,” Judge Incerti said.

‘The ripple effect is far-reaching. It leaves each of us with a feeling of helplessness.

“The message must be heard loud and clear: committing serious violence in a domestic environment and taking the life of another person will be met with extremely severe penalties.”

She sentenced him to 24 years and six months in prison, but he will be eligible for parole after 19 years.

The full force of the law was “not enough” to protect Ms Osias, Judge Incerti said

The standard sentence for murder is 25 years.

Pualic looked down as his verdict was read and thanked Judge Incerti as she asked guards to lead him out of the courtroom.

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