Solicitor Peter McCarthy’s son too afraid to leave home after he was killed by Narelle Fiona Smith
>
Traumatized son of murdered retiree wishes he had earned more so his father didn’t have to live in public housing where he met his killer
- Narelle Fiona Smith murdered neighbor Peter McCarthy
- Your son got depressed and now he doesn’t trust the world.
- Case adjourned to consider Smith’s sentencing
The son of a retired lawyer beaten to death in his Sydney home by his neighbor has told a court he no longer trusts the world, is afraid to leave the house and wishes he had earned more so his father wouldn’t have to live. in public housing.
Narelle Fiona Smith, 48, was found guilty of murdering Peter McCarthy, 77, after a trial in November 2022.
His son, James McCarthy, told a New South Wales Supreme Court sentencing hearing on Friday that he has become depressed, suicidal and agoraphobic since his father’s murder in December 2020.
“I don’t trust the world anymore,” McCarthy told the court.
The pain is a life sentence and has left him requiring more psychiatric therapy and medication, which the family struggles to pay for and which McCarthy’s wife has to administer.
“You can’t trust me not to attempt an overdose,” he said.
Narelle Fiona Smith found guilty of beating her neighbor to death with a frying pan
McCarthy said he wished he had been more successful in his own life so his father would not have to live in public housing in South Coogee, eastern Sydney, where he met the neighbor who killed him.
Smith has pleaded not guilty and continues to deny involvement.
He appeared via audiovisual link, shaking his head during Crown introductions that he intended to kill Mr McCarthy, as he tried to defend himself.
“This was a brutal and savage attack on an elderly man in his own home,” crown prosecutor Katharine Jeffreys said.
After inflicting significant facial injuries with a frying pan, breaking several bones and knocking out a tooth, Smith left the retiree’s body in an undignified state on the floor of his home, where it remained for several days, Ms. Jeffreys filed.
A misshapen frying pan with a broken handle was found near his body, and DNA belonging to Smith was found at Mr. McCarthy’s home and under his fingernails.
His mobile phone, bank cards, cash and a travel card Smith took after the murder, which appeared to show no evidence of premeditation or motive, were not found at the home, Jeffreys said.
Retired solicitor Peter McCarthy (pictured) was found dead at his South Coogee home with serious head and facial injuries in December 2020
Smith’s lawyer, Sharyn Hall SC, acknowledged that her client’s continued denial meant he would likely receive a longer sentence than if he had shown remorse.
He urged the judge to find special circumstances due to Smith’s traumatic childhood.
“She has a number of long-standing entrenched issues that need to be addressed,” he said.
While she can be treated in custody, the biggest challenge for Smith will be reintegrating into the community, her attorney said.
“Given her background, given her unstable lifestyle from a very young age… one wonders if (she) has ever fully integrated into society,” Ms Hall said.
The judge noted that his presentation may have some force before he adjourns to consider Smith’s sentence, which he will deliver at a later date.
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyond the blue 1300 22 4636
Peter McCarthy was last captured on CCTV at the York Club in Sydney’s CBD (pictured) on December 16, 2020. He was found dead at his home four days later.