Case Study: The Simon Gittany Murder Case

Word count: 1543

Type of Homicide

Simon Gittany was charged with the murder of Lisa Cecilia Harnum on 30 July 2011, was later found guilty on 27 November 2013 and sentenced to 18 years imprisoned without parole. At the time of Lisa Harnum's death, she and Simon Gittany were living together and were engaged to be married. Their apartment was on the 15th floor of a block of apartments in Sydney. Miss Harnum fell to her death from the balcony of that apartment. Simon Gittany was found to have deliberately lifted Miss Harnum over the balustrade and "unloaded" her body over the edge where she then fell to her death.

The type of homicide featured in this case was murder. The intention to kill was formed quickly in a state of rage. It was not proven to be premeditated, there was a witness who came forward late in the trail stating that Lisa Harnum had spoken with her about receiving threats of murder from Simon Gittany this evidence was not included in the trail. The judge said with regards to Simon Gittany’s intention to kill Lisa Harnum “On the basis of my inspection of the balcony during the course of the trial, and in particular its height from the ground below, I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the act of unloading the body from that height can only have been done with the intention of killing Ms Harnum”. (AustLII 2015)

Main Characteristics of the Offender

The offender Simon Gittany was 40 years old, he is one of six children raised in Sydney after his parents emigrated from Lebanon. He had a stable upbringing and his family is close. He completed the Higher School Certificate and following that he obtained employment as a tiler, but did not remain in a particular job for longer than about 6 months, between employment he stayed at home. His parents did not expect him to pay rent and his mother did