Triple murderer sentenced to 35 years

Updated April 17, 2012 19:07:00

Jason Alexander Downie has been sentenced to 35 years in jail for what's being described as one of the most brutal crimes in South Australia's recent history. Family members of the three people he killed in a jealous rage lamented a sentence they believe is too short.

Source: PM | Duration: 4min

Topics: courts-and-trials, youth, murder-and-manslaughter, kapunda-5373, australia


MARK COLVIN: A young man described in court as a quiet and '"weedy" teenager has been sentenced to spend at least 35 years in jail for a brutal crime in South Australia.

The small country town of Kapunda, north of Adelaide, was devastated after an 18-year-old with a jealous infatuation murdered three members of a local family.

Today, many from the town who knew and loved the victims travelled to the South Australian Supreme Court to see justice served.

A warning, this following report contains some facts which some people may find disturbing.

From Adelaide, Candice Marcus reports.

CANDICE MARCUS: It was an emotional hearing for the more than 100 relatives and friends who filled every available space in the courtroom to watch the young killer sentenced.

Jason Alexander Downie, now 20, sat in the dock stony-faced as most in the courtroom were reduced to tears.

STEPHEN PALLARAS: He's virtually come out of the blue and murdered three people at night for no reason.

CANDICE MARCUS: The Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Pallaras, personally prosecuted the case and says it's the worst he's come across in his long career.

STEPHEN PALLARAS: They were murders committed without any motive it seems or without any explanation. Three innocent people who were attacked within their own home by a young man who previously had not given anyone any hint that he was capable of committing such heinous offences.

That's what's shocking about this case; that an apparently docile individual could behave with such inhumanity.

CANDICE MARCUS: The court heard Downie's sexual infatuation with his youngest victim, 16-year-old Chantelle Rowe, led him into a jealous and homicidal rage when he broke into her family's home in November 2010.

The slightly built man stabbed Chantelle's mother Rose Rowe more than 50 times, and her father Andrew about 30 times.

Forensic examiners say the attack was so ferocious that parts of the knife became lodged in both of their skulls.

The court heard Chantelle Rowe hid under her bed after watching her parents' deaths, but Downie found her, stabbed her at least 35 times, raped her, and beat her.

Her brother, Christopher Rowe, was inconsolable as he attended court surrounded by supporters.

A relative, Kylie Duffield read a statement on his behalf.

KYLIE DUFFIELD: The lives of my Dad, Mum and sister were viciously taken by someone of sound mind qualifies this bastard, Jason Downie, to only 35 years non-parole whilst my family and I continue to serve life.

Please explain to me the justice in this?

GRANT MOYLE: I don't think any sentence is ever really going to fully address the viciousness of this crime.

CANDICE MARCUS: Detective superintendent Grant Moyle led the police investigation, and says everyone involved has been affected.

GRANT MOYLE: It was a very tough crime scene for everyone to deal with. It's something that I think everyone's going to have nightmares over for many years to come, I think.

This whole time up to now has been pretty tough for everyone; particularly the relatives who I might add have done a tremendous job and controlled themselves remarkably well in the circumstances.

CANDICE MARCUS: Tough even for the judge presiding over the case. Justice John Sulan's words are read here by an actor.

JUSTICE SULAN (voiceover): To describe the attack on these victims as a savage attack does not adequately describe what occurred in their home in the early hours of that morning.

I have viewed the photographs of the house as police found it. Words cannot adequately describe what they found. There was blood in almost every room, on the walls and covering the floors.

CANDICE MARCUS: Downie's mother, Lorna, wrote a letter to Justice Sulan saying her son was a helpful and caring person, and she too is struggling to comprehend what he has done.

LORNA DOWNIE (voiceover): I have never seen Jason angry. He wasn't argumentative. He was just a happy go-lucky boy and I can't comprehend what has took place and cannot believe the crimes because of Jason's good nature. It is well out of character.

CANDICE MARCUS: Downie will be in his 50s before he is eligible to apply for release.

MARK COLVIN: Candice Marcus.