Melbourne, July 3 (IANS) A 42-year-old Australian faces up to 45 years in jail after a jury Tuesday found him guilty of murdering three siblings of an Indian-origin family in Brisbane in 2003.
The Supreme Court in Brisbane found Max Sica guilty of murdering 24-year-old Neelma Singh, 18-year-old Kunal Singh and 12-year-old Sidhi Singh at their family home in Bridgeman Downs, in north Brisbane April 21, 2003, the couriermail.com.au website reported.
During the 77-day trial, the court heard allegations about relationships involving Sica and the Singh family.
The prosecutor said Neelma Singh and Sica had a relationship in 2002, and Neelma wanted to break it off.
However, in the weeks before her death, Neelma had willingly seen Sica after he falsely claimed he had a brain tumour and had just weeks to live, the report said.
Sica went to the Singh home on the night of April 20, 2003, to talk with Neelma.
The prosecution said that for some reason – perhaps out of jealously or rejection – Sica strangled Neelma in a fit of rage.
Sica allegedly attacked Kunal and Sidhi with a garden fork because they could identify him as Neelma’s killer.
Sidhi was beaten to death, most likely in her bed. Kunal, who was also most likely in his bed, was knocked unconscious. All three siblings were dressed for bed.
The bodies were dumped in a spa, and Sica used bleach to clean the murder scene and wash away DNA.
On Tuesday, Sica showed no reaction when the jury handed down their verdict.
He only spoke when the judge asked him if he had anything to say.
“Well, I didn’t kill no one and the Queensland justice system is corrupt, okay? Sorry, that’s all I have to say,” Sica said.
Sentencing was adjourned as the victims’ father, Vijay Singh, was not present in court.
