Caution every grandfather in this world must know her name:
Brittney Dwyer
Bankrupted Ang Moh Beggar state news: AMDK Girl 19 yo sentenced 21 years for Murder Robbery of own loving grandpa and spent all the savings robbed off grandpa. Grandpa was stabbed when he took out photo album to show her childhood photos, she just wash dishes as she watch her grandpa died in bleeding and until blood dry then she proceeded to steal grandpa monies.
Why did mata not shoot her dead and arrested her instead?
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/少女淡定洗碗-冷眼看祖父血乾身亡-013941928.html
少女淡定洗碗 冷眼看祖父血乾身亡
三立新聞網 setn.com
三立新聞網
•2017年11月9日 上午9:39
國際中心／綜合報導
年紀輕輕就親手結束家人生命，還冷眼看待？澳洲一名少女計畫謀殺自己親祖父，在祖父熱情邀她看童年照片時，一刀插向祖父脖子，並冷眼看待祖父流血過多身亡，而少女只是站在一旁的廚房洗碗等待。
▲少女德懷爾冷血刺殺祖父。（圖／翻攝自臉書）
根據外媒報導，少女德懷爾（Brittney Dwyer）犯案時才年僅19歲，她計畫謀殺81歲的祖父懷特維爾（Robert Whitewell），當祖父拿出相簿時，她凶狠的拿刀刺向祖父脖子，還一連刺了4刀，接著就看著祖父倒臥血泊之中，德懷爾則在旁一邊洗碗，一邊冷眼等待祖父死亡，最後德懷爾還拿走祖父存了一生的積蓄澳幣10萬元（約台幣227萬元）。
很快的，德懷爾被警方逮捕，事情也傳進德懷爾母親桐雅（Tonya）耳裡，但桐雅不願相信女兒會做出這種事，直說這一切是惡夢，「這是我信任的人，是我把她帶到這個世界上」、「我不知道，我到底有沒有明白這整件事」，雖然桐雅各種求情，但少女還是被判終身監禁，未來有20年得在監獄中度過。
更多三立新聞網報導
不爽包養中斷 女子聯手新歡謀殺乾爹
網交遇食人魔！女遭啃「全身都坑洞」
同志養父捏爆肋骨…1歲嬰全身骨折亡
★更多新聞報導" data-reactid="24">★更多新聞報導
混浴溫泉多艷事 不倫戀情侶最愛調情
網交遇食人魔！女遭啃「全身都坑洞」
虐殺少年求靈感 她小說寫滿犯案細節
送彌月禮=討紅包？她感歎做人好難
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Yahoo奇摩新聞歡迎您投稿！對於這個社會大小事有話想說？歡迎各界好手來發聲！用文字表達你的觀點。投稿去—–>https://goo.gl/iy5TCA
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-07/brittney-dwyer-sentenced-over-robert-whitwells-murder/9125184
Brittney Dwyer sentenced over grandfather Robert Whitwell's 'brutal, callous' murder
By court reporter Candice Prosser
Updated November 07, 2017 20:00:15
Photo: Brittney Dwyer was 19 when she stabbed her grandfather to death. (Facebook)
Related Story: Teen stabbed grandfather, applied bandaid, then 'cleaned dishes as he died'
Related Story: Teenager who killed her grandfather 'motivated by American Horror Story'
Map: Adelaide 5000
A Queensland woman who murdered her elderly grandfather in Adelaide has been sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 21 years, with the judge describing the crime as brutal and dispassionately planned.
Key points:
Brittney Jade Dwyer was 19 years old when she stabbed her 81-year-old grandfather Robert Whitwell to death at his Craigmore home in Adelaide's north in August last year.
The South Australian Supreme Court heard Dwyer, now 20, claimed to be motivated by a horror television series about murder and gruesome crimes, and also wanted to steal her grandfather's life savings of more than $100,000, which he kept in cash.
Dwyer's girlfriend, Bernadette Burns, now aged 22, travelled to Adelaide with her and waited outside in the car putting her makeup on.
She encouraged Dwyer to follow through with the plan through a series of text messages, including one that read "just harden up and do it".
The court heard Burns didn't intend for Mr Whitwell to be killed or harmed, but would have contemplated that violence was a possibility.
Burns was also sentenced to life imprisonment for a statutory murder charge, with a non-parole period of 13-and-a-half years.
Family shattered by Dwyer's responsibility in murder
Justice Kevin Nicholson said the victim impact statements given by Mr Whitwell's family members were "extremely moving".
Photo: Robert Whitwell was found dead in his Craigmore home in Adelaide's north. (Supplied: SA Police)
He said the very same people who had been badly damaged by the sudden act of violence and the death of Mr Whitwell were "simply shattered" by the fact Dwyer was responsible.
"It is not possible to adequately summarise the distress and profound anguish," Justice Nicholson said.
The court heard that while driving to Adelaide from Queensland with her girlfriend, Dwyer had second thoughts about her plan to kill and rob her grandfather but that she didn't back out.
"You failed to see or accept the enormity and abhorrent wrongfulness of what you were planning," Justice Nicholson said.
The court heard Dwyer went into her grandfather's house and sat with him looking at childhood photos, before stabbing him four times.
She then helped him apply a bandaid to one of the stab wounds in his neck, before busying herself by washing the dishes as he lay dying on a kitchen chair.
"The brutal facts concerning the murder of your grandfather are relatively straightforward, however why it came about can only be seen as very complex," Justice Nicholson said.
He said there were many factors, including Dwyer's personality disorder and drug addiction that contributed to her callous crime.
"Your unnatural interest in violence and seeing people die and greed for money are contributing factors.
"One remains at a loss to explain how a young woman of 19, notwithstanding your difficult background, although I have come across much worse, could do what you did.
"This murder was brutal, callous, cold-blooded and dispassionately planned."
Photo: Bernadette Burns was sentenced to 13 years and six months for her involvement of the murder. (ABC News)
Justice Nicholson said he wasn't confident Dwyer had the "emotional makeup or capacity to be truly contrite".
He said a non-parole period of 29 years was an appropriate starting point.
But after allowing a discount for Dwyer's guilty plea and cooperation with police and taking into account her young age, he reduced that to 20 years and six months and added six months for the aggravated serious criminal trespass.
Dwyer did not show any emotion as she was sentenced and as the judge detailed her crime.
Justice Nicholson said he believed she posed a danger to the public and her eventual release on parole wouldn't be guaranteed, unless she could show significant progress of rehabilitation.
He said although Burns didn't have a murderous intent, she did have a serious criminal intent and knew it was a possibility violence would be used against an 81-year-old man.
He started with a non-parole period of 20 years for her, but after allowing discounts for her guilty pleas and circumstances he reduced that to 13-and-a-half years.
Robert Whitwell 'truly a real gentleman'
Outside court Mr Whitwell's brother, Geoffrey Whitwell, spoke to the media surrounded by family members, including Tonya Dwyer, who is Brittney Dwyer's mother and Robert Whitwell's daughter.
Photo: Geoffrey Whitwell described his brother as a true gentleman. (ABC News: Candice Prosser)
"It has been a difficult time," he said.
"We support one another, we're there for one another as a family, and we just have to know now and be glad that it's all over and we can get closure and let the healing begin and just move on."
Mr Whitwell said his brother was a gentle, kind man.
"You couldn't get a better brother, he was truly a real gentleman — I don't think he ever had an argument with anybody ever in his life, he always helped everybody whenever he could and he always tried to do the right thing," he said.
"You never forget, do you? It's a test on everybody in the family and you've just got to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and do the best you can and get on with life."
Mr Whitwell said he felt the sentence was fair.
"I think the presiding judge did an excellent job ... I believe it's a fair sentence for the crime that's been committed."
Topics: murder-and-manslaughter, crime, law-crime-and-justice, adelaide-5000, sa, qld
First posted November 07, 2017 10:37:48
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http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...l/news-story/4eddf43c0f3eb46c9fcc1ef8680c76da
Brother of murdered man pleased with court decision0:46
The brother of murdered man Robert Whitwell says he is pleased with the courts decision.
Brother of murdered man pleased with court decision
Law and Order
Brittney Jade Dwyer jailed for at least 21 years for stabbing murder of grandfather Robert Whitwell
Meagan Dillon, Court Reporter, The Advertiser
November 7, 2017 1:26pm
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Supreme Court Justice Kevin Nicholson sentenced the 20-year-old to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 20.5 years for the murder of her 81-year-old grandfather Robert Whitwell at his Craigmore home in Adelaide’s north in August last year.
She also received an additional six months for the home invasion — bringing her total jail term before she becomes eligible for parole to 21 years.
Her friend, Bernadette Burns, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 13.5 years for the murder, as she was found not to have murderous intent.
Both Dwyer and Burns’ sentences were backdated to mid-2016.
Brittney Dwyer, Robert Whitwell and Bernadette Burns.
Outside court, Mr Whitwell’s brother Geoffrey Whitwell said the sentence was appropriate and it now allowed the family to heal.
“I think the presiding judge did a good job,” he said.
“It has been a difficult time. We support one another and we’re there for one another as a family. We’re just glad it’s all over, we can get closure and let the healing begin.
“You couldn’t get a better brother than Robert — he was truly a gentleman.”
After the duo drove from Queensland, Burns sat in the car outside Mr Whitwell’s home applying her make-up while Dwyer stabbed her grandfather shortly after he had shown her family photos.
The girls were planning on robbing him of his life savings — $111,000, which was hidden in his shed and house.
Brittney Dwyer's mother Tonya leaving the court after the sentencing of her daughter. Picture: Dean Martin/AAP
Justice Nicholson described the offending as “evil” and “abhorrent”, saying it was difficult to determine Dwyer’s capacity for remorse.
“It’s not possible to adequately summarise the enormity of the distress and profound anguish that these members of the Whitwell and Dwyer families have no doubt ... suffered,” he said.
“The whole affair is, of course, a tragedy on two fronts.
“The very same people who have been very badly damaged by the sudden and violent end of Mr Whitwell, who was greatly loved and respected, are simply shattered by the fact it was such a close member of the family who so callously and brutally murdered him.
Sunday Night: The evil within1:00
Sunday Night talks to the family and partner-in-crime of Brittney Dwyer who was 19 when she murdered her grandfather. Courtesy: Channel 7/Sunday Night
Sunday Night: The evil within
“The brutal facts concerning the murder of your grandfather are relatively straightforward, however, why it came about can only be perceived as very complex.
“Plainly, the fact you are the person you are, with a mixed personality disorder with borderline and anti-social traits, must have been highly influential.”
He said Dwyer was influenced by her drug-taking and involvement with a criminal subculture, her poor capacity to empathise, an unnatural interest in violence and seeing people die, and basic greed for money.
“One remains at a loss as to how a young woman ... would do what you did,” he said.
“This murder was brutal, callous, cold-blooded.”
Robert Whitwell's brother Geoffrey leaving the court. Picture: Dean Martin/AAP
Last month, the court heard Dwyer was motivated by robbery but was also influenced by TV show American Horror Story.
Lawyer Craig Caldicott, for Dwyer, described that aspect as “very troubling”.
Her mother Tonya Dwyer has previously said her daughter had an obsession with graveyards and “dark things” which set her on a macabre path.
She said her and friend, Shelby Lee Angie Holmes, both had a fascination with knives and violence in the lead-up to the murder.
“I think they are little bit dark, as in they would do things in cemeteries and go to cemetery tours and dark things,” Ms Dwyer said.
“There were some things with blood and knives. I think they had a bit of an obsession with some dark stuff.”
Dwyer pleaded guilty to the murder one month after her arrest, while Burns pleaded guilty to murder without intent, which has the same maximum and mandatory minimum, in August 2017.
Brittney Jade Dwyer was motivated in part to murder her grandfather by a TV show1:41
Supreme Court hears Brittney Jade Dwyer was, in part, motivated to murder her grandfather by TV show American Horror Story. Courtesy: Network Ten
Brittney Dwyer motivated in part by a TV show
In April 2016, Dwyer and Holmes drove almost 2000km from Queensland to Adelaide to rob Mr Whitwell.
As Holmes was checking out the house, she sent text messages to Dwyer. One said: “He said hey to me omg he’s lovely.”
His granddaughter replied: “He is very lovely. Don’t get attached to him. He might have to die.”
The following day, the pair returned to the Craigmore home and failed in their attempt to rob him.
In early August, Dwyer again made the journey to Adelaide — this time with Burns.
Mr Whitwell started to show his granddaughter some photos of her and her brother as children and Dwyer decided she couldn’t go through with killing him.
She sent a text message to Burns saying she was pulling out.
Bernadette Burns was received a minimum of 13.5 years jail.
But Burns talked her out of it, saying her mother would know she’d visited her grandfather if she didn’t go through with it and that she needed to “harden up”.
As Mr Whitwell walked his granddaughter to the front door, she stabbed him in the neck, before he turned around and placed his hands on her shoulders.
She then stabbed him in the chest and again in the neck.
Bleeding profusely, Mr Whitwell asked his granddaughter why she had attacked him. She did not respond. He then walked to the kitchen and grabbed a band-aid.
Incredibly, Dwyer helped him apply the band-aid and handed him a cloth before she started washing the dishes as he passed away.
His body was discovered three days later and the killers were arrested on August 26.
Robert Whitwell with Brittney Dwyer
In July, the court dismissed allegations made by Dwyer that her grandfather may have sexually molested her as a child.
The month before, Mr Whitwell’s brother Geoffrey Whitwell spoke of his family’s devastation at comforting Dwyer in the days after the death, before discovering his own granddaughter had killed him.
Holmes was given a 17-month suspended sentence for trespassing at Mr Whitwell’s home in April.
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http://www.news.com.au/national/sou...l/news-story/2ed9b5da2b966277e1be44b4bd6fee82
Brittney Dwyer ‘obsessed’ with knives and graveyards before murdering her grandfather Robert Whitwell
THE mother of Brittney Dwyer, the teenager who murdered her loving grandfather, has spoken about her daughter’s chilling obsessions.
Mitch Mott
The AdvertiserNovember 6, 20177:41am
Brittney Dwyer’s horrific act against her grandfather
AN obsession with graveyards and “dark things” set a teenager on a macabre path which led her to murder her grandfather, an elderly pensioner who had treasured her as a child.
Brittney Dwyer calmly washed dishes only feet away from where her grandfather, 81-year-old Robert Whitwell, slowly bled to death at his Adelaide home in early August, 2016.
Outside in a car, its engine still warm from the long drive from Brisbane, Dwyer’s accomplice Bernadette Burns sat, applying makeup and sending text messages prompting Dwyer to “harden up” and commit murder.
Dwyer’s mother, daughter of Mr Whitwell, Tonya Dwyer, hasn’t spoken to Dwyer in more than a year and told Channel 7’sSunday Night that she “deserves 20 years in jail”. “She did the crime. She admitted to it. She pleased guilty.”
She said she had watched as her daughter grew from a bubbly child to a sullen teenager who self harmed and was obsessed with violence and death.
Alongside best friend Shelby Lee Holmes, Dwyer began a fascination with knives and violence which culminated in the stabbing murder of Mr Whitwell.
“I think they are a little bit dark, as in they would do things in cemeteries and go to cemetery tours and dark things,” Ms Dwyer said.
“There were some things with blood and knives. I think they had a bit of an obsession with some dark stuff.”
Tonya Dwyer is determined to keep her father's memory alive
Tonya Whitwell with her father Robert Whitwell. Her daughter, Brittney Jade Dwyer, killed Mr Whitwell.Source:The Advertiser
Holmes, also speaking to Sunday Night, denied the interest was any more than a typical teenage behaviour.
“It was just what any other normal teenager would be interested in, like horror movies and things like that,” Holmes said. “Nothing alarming.”
Ms Dwyer said she was still “furious” with her daughter for making accusations Mr Whitwell had sexually abused her as a child as a cover for a failed plot to steal his money which ended in murder.
“I was furious and that’s the reason why I would still slap her in the face,” Ms Dwyer said. “All that anger that is inside.”
Shelby Holmes with Brittney Dwyer.Source:Supplied
Bernadette Burns also pleaded guilty over the murder of Robert Whitwell.Source:Supplied
Holmes had accompanied Dwyer on the long drive from Brisbane to Adelaide in April 2016 in an attempt to steal more than $100,000 Mr Whitwell had hidden in his garden shed.
The attempt failed with the pair escaping empty-handed but not before Dwyer warned that her grandfather “might have to die” if they were to get the money.
Four months later Dwyer was back on the road to Adelaide, this time with 22-year-old Burns who was in a self destructive cycle after losing custody of her young daughter.
Wearing gloves and concealing a knife Dwyer knocked on Mr Whitwell’s door.
They spent some time together before Dwyer stabbed him several times to the neck as they were heading to the front door.
He bled to death, despite a token band aid Dwyer applied before going to the sink to do the dishes.
Brittney Jade Dwyer was motivated in part to murder her grandfather by a TV show
Bernadette Burns was arrested with Brittney Jade Dwyer over the death of Robert Whitwell.Source:Supplied
Dwyer and Burns left Adelaide with a little over $1000 in cash after having once again failed to find the life savings.
Dwyer drove straight from Adelaide to her mother’s house in Brisbane where she had only just learnt of the fate of her father.
“Little did I know she was still driving back from Adelaide,” Ms Dwyer said.
“I told her the police have just rung and Poppa has just passed away. She just burst into tears, hysterically burst into tears.
“I said I need you to come with me and fly down to Adelaide.”
Shelby Lee Angie Holmes, who gave evidence at court, with Brittney Dwyer.Source:Supplied
In the days that followed Dwyer grieved alongside the family of the man she had murdered with her mother only thinking that her chain-smoking during that time was out of character.
An anonymous tip off would lead police to arrest Dwyer and Burns and it was not long before both pleaded guilty to the crime.
“I’ve lost two people, I’ve lost my dad and I’ve lost my daughter,” Ms Dwyer said.
“I don’t know if I will ever understand the whole story.”
Dwyer and Burns will be sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday.
Originally published as Mum says Brittney Dwyer deserves 20 years jail
Greenacre school crash: Jihad Darwiche’s family ‘forgive’ dr...
most read from
Brittney Dwyer
Bankrupted Ang Moh Beggar state news: AMDK Girl 19 yo sentenced 21 years for Murder Robbery of own loving grandpa and spent all the savings robbed off grandpa. Grandpa was stabbed when he took out photo album to show her childhood photos, she just wash dishes as she watch her grandpa died in bleeding and until blood dry then she proceeded to steal grandpa monies.
Why did mata not shoot her dead and arrested her instead?
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/少女淡定洗碗-冷眼看祖父血乾身亡-013941928.html
少女淡定洗碗 冷眼看祖父血乾身亡
三立新聞網 setn.com
三立新聞網
•2017年11月9日 上午9:39
國際中心／綜合報導
年紀輕輕就親手結束家人生命，還冷眼看待？澳洲一名少女計畫謀殺自己親祖父，在祖父熱情邀她看童年照片時，一刀插向祖父脖子，並冷眼看待祖父流血過多身亡，而少女只是站在一旁的廚房洗碗等待。
▲少女德懷爾冷血刺殺祖父。（圖／翻攝自臉書）
根據外媒報導，少女德懷爾（Brittney Dwyer）犯案時才年僅19歲，她計畫謀殺81歲的祖父懷特維爾（Robert Whitewell），當祖父拿出相簿時，她凶狠的拿刀刺向祖父脖子，還一連刺了4刀，接著就看著祖父倒臥血泊之中，德懷爾則在旁一邊洗碗，一邊冷眼等待祖父死亡，最後德懷爾還拿走祖父存了一生的積蓄澳幣10萬元（約台幣227萬元）。
很快的，德懷爾被警方逮捕，事情也傳進德懷爾母親桐雅（Tonya）耳裡，但桐雅不願相信女兒會做出這種事，直說這一切是惡夢，「這是我信任的人，是我把她帶到這個世界上」、「我不知道，我到底有沒有明白這整件事」，雖然桐雅各種求情，但少女還是被判終身監禁，未來有20年得在監獄中度過。
更多三立新聞網報導
不爽包養中斷 女子聯手新歡謀殺乾爹
網交遇食人魔！女遭啃「全身都坑洞」
同志養父捏爆肋骨…1歲嬰全身骨折亡
★更多新聞報導" data-reactid="24">★更多新聞報導
混浴溫泉多艷事 不倫戀情侶最愛調情
網交遇食人魔！女遭啃「全身都坑洞」
虐殺少年求靈感 她小說寫滿犯案細節
送彌月禮=討紅包？她感歎做人好難
-------------------------------------" data-reactid="26">-------------------------------------
Yahoo奇摩新聞歡迎您投稿！對於這個社會大小事有話想說？歡迎各界好手來發聲！用文字表達你的觀點。投稿去—–>https://goo.gl/iy5TCA
★想看LIVE直播明星名嘴、超夯高清動漫、影劇影音、電競直播，就上Yahoo TV！一起看、一起聊
看這些話題的相關文章：
相關內容
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-07/brittney-dwyer-sentenced-over-robert-whitwells-murder/9125184
Brittney Dwyer sentenced over grandfather Robert Whitwell's 'brutal, callous' murder
By court reporter Candice Prosser
Updated November 07, 2017 20:00:15
Photo: Brittney Dwyer was 19 when she stabbed her grandfather to death. (Facebook) Related Story: Teen stabbed grandfather, applied bandaid, then 'cleaned dishes as he died'
Related Story: Teenager who killed her grandfather 'motivated by American Horror Story'
Map: Adelaide 5000
A Queensland woman who murdered her elderly grandfather in Adelaide has been sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 21 years, with the judge describing the crime as brutal and dispassionately planned.
Key points:
- Brittney Dwyer claimed to be motivated by a horror television series about murder
- Her girlfriend Bernadette Burns encouraged Dwyer to follow through with the plan
- Burns was sentenced to life imprisonment for a statutory murder charge
Brittney Jade Dwyer was 19 years old when she stabbed her 81-year-old grandfather Robert Whitwell to death at his Craigmore home in Adelaide's north in August last year.
The South Australian Supreme Court heard Dwyer, now 20, claimed to be motivated by a horror television series about murder and gruesome crimes, and also wanted to steal her grandfather's life savings of more than $100,000, which he kept in cash.
Dwyer's girlfriend, Bernadette Burns, now aged 22, travelled to Adelaide with her and waited outside in the car putting her makeup on.
She encouraged Dwyer to follow through with the plan through a series of text messages, including one that read "just harden up and do it".
The court heard Burns didn't intend for Mr Whitwell to be killed or harmed, but would have contemplated that violence was a possibility.
Burns was also sentenced to life imprisonment for a statutory murder charge, with a non-parole period of 13-and-a-half years.
Family shattered by Dwyer's responsibility in murder
Justice Kevin Nicholson said the victim impact statements given by Mr Whitwell's family members were "extremely moving".
Photo: Robert Whitwell was found dead in his Craigmore home in Adelaide's north. (Supplied: SA Police) He said the very same people who had been badly damaged by the sudden act of violence and the death of Mr Whitwell were "simply shattered" by the fact Dwyer was responsible.
"It is not possible to adequately summarise the distress and profound anguish," Justice Nicholson said.
The court heard that while driving to Adelaide from Queensland with her girlfriend, Dwyer had second thoughts about her plan to kill and rob her grandfather but that she didn't back out.
"You failed to see or accept the enormity and abhorrent wrongfulness of what you were planning," Justice Nicholson said.
The court heard Dwyer went into her grandfather's house and sat with him looking at childhood photos, before stabbing him four times.
She then helped him apply a bandaid to one of the stab wounds in his neck, before busying herself by washing the dishes as he lay dying on a kitchen chair.
"The brutal facts concerning the murder of your grandfather are relatively straightforward, however why it came about can only be seen as very complex," Justice Nicholson said.
He said there were many factors, including Dwyer's personality disorder and drug addiction that contributed to her callous crime.
"Your unnatural interest in violence and seeing people die and greed for money are contributing factors.
"One remains at a loss to explain how a young woman of 19, notwithstanding your difficult background, although I have come across much worse, could do what you did.
"This murder was brutal, callous, cold-blooded and dispassionately planned."
Photo: Bernadette Burns was sentenced to 13 years and six months for her involvement of the murder. (ABC News) Justice Nicholson said he wasn't confident Dwyer had the "emotional makeup or capacity to be truly contrite".
He said a non-parole period of 29 years was an appropriate starting point.
But after allowing a discount for Dwyer's guilty plea and cooperation with police and taking into account her young age, he reduced that to 20 years and six months and added six months for the aggravated serious criminal trespass.
Dwyer did not show any emotion as she was sentenced and as the judge detailed her crime.
Justice Nicholson said he believed she posed a danger to the public and her eventual release on parole wouldn't be guaranteed, unless she could show significant progress of rehabilitation.
He said although Burns didn't have a murderous intent, she did have a serious criminal intent and knew it was a possibility violence would be used against an 81-year-old man.
He started with a non-parole period of 20 years for her, but after allowing discounts for her guilty pleas and circumstances he reduced that to 13-and-a-half years.
Robert Whitwell 'truly a real gentleman'
Outside court Mr Whitwell's brother, Geoffrey Whitwell, spoke to the media surrounded by family members, including Tonya Dwyer, who is Brittney Dwyer's mother and Robert Whitwell's daughter.
Photo: Geoffrey Whitwell described his brother as a true gentleman. (ABC News: Candice Prosser) "It has been a difficult time," he said.
"We support one another, we're there for one another as a family, and we just have to know now and be glad that it's all over and we can get closure and let the healing begin and just move on."
Mr Whitwell said his brother was a gentle, kind man.
"You couldn't get a better brother, he was truly a real gentleman — I don't think he ever had an argument with anybody ever in his life, he always helped everybody whenever he could and he always tried to do the right thing," he said.
"You never forget, do you? It's a test on everybody in the family and you've just got to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and do the best you can and get on with life."
Mr Whitwell said he felt the sentence was fair.
"I think the presiding judge did an excellent job ... I believe it's a fair sentence for the crime that's been committed."
Topics: murder-and-manslaughter, crime, law-crime-and-justice, adelaide-5000, sa, qld
First posted November 07, 2017 10:37:48
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Brother of murdered man pleased with court decision0:46
The brother of murdered man Robert Whitwell says he is pleased with the courts decision.
- November 7th 2017
- 2 days ago
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Brother of murdered man pleased with court decision
Law and Order
Brittney Jade Dwyer jailed for at least 21 years for stabbing murder of grandfather Robert Whitwell
Meagan Dillon, Court Reporter, The Advertiser
November 7, 2017 1:26pm
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- SPECIAL REPORT: The inside story of Brittney Dwyer’s murder plot
- The little girl who menaced her brother with a knife
- Co-accused Shelby Lee Angie Holmes avoids jail
- They were partly motivated by TV show American Horror Story
Supreme Court Justice Kevin Nicholson sentenced the 20-year-old to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 20.5 years for the murder of her 81-year-old grandfather Robert Whitwell at his Craigmore home in Adelaide’s north in August last year.
She also received an additional six months for the home invasion — bringing her total jail term before she becomes eligible for parole to 21 years.
Her friend, Bernadette Burns, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 13.5 years for the murder, as she was found not to have murderous intent.
Both Dwyer and Burns’ sentences were backdated to mid-2016.
Brittney Dwyer, Robert Whitwell and Bernadette Burns.
Outside court, Mr Whitwell’s brother Geoffrey Whitwell said the sentence was appropriate and it now allowed the family to heal.
“I think the presiding judge did a good job,” he said.
“It has been a difficult time. We support one another and we’re there for one another as a family. We’re just glad it’s all over, we can get closure and let the healing begin.
“You couldn’t get a better brother than Robert — he was truly a gentleman.”
After the duo drove from Queensland, Burns sat in the car outside Mr Whitwell’s home applying her make-up while Dwyer stabbed her grandfather shortly after he had shown her family photos.
The girls were planning on robbing him of his life savings — $111,000, which was hidden in his shed and house.
Brittney Dwyer's mother Tonya leaving the court after the sentencing of her daughter. Picture: Dean Martin/AAP
Justice Nicholson described the offending as “evil” and “abhorrent”, saying it was difficult to determine Dwyer’s capacity for remorse.
“It’s not possible to adequately summarise the enormity of the distress and profound anguish that these members of the Whitwell and Dwyer families have no doubt ... suffered,” he said.
“The whole affair is, of course, a tragedy on two fronts.
“The very same people who have been very badly damaged by the sudden and violent end of Mr Whitwell, who was greatly loved and respected, are simply shattered by the fact it was such a close member of the family who so callously and brutally murdered him.
Sunday Night: The evil within1:00
Sunday Night talks to the family and partner-in-crime of Brittney Dwyer who was 19 when she murdered her grandfather. Courtesy: Channel 7/Sunday Night
- November 2nd 2017
- 7 days ago
- /display/newscorpaustralia.com/Web/NewsNetwork/Network News/National/
Sunday Night: The evil within
“The brutal facts concerning the murder of your grandfather are relatively straightforward, however, why it came about can only be perceived as very complex.
“Plainly, the fact you are the person you are, with a mixed personality disorder with borderline and anti-social traits, must have been highly influential.”
He said Dwyer was influenced by her drug-taking and involvement with a criminal subculture, her poor capacity to empathise, an unnatural interest in violence and seeing people die, and basic greed for money.
“One remains at a loss as to how a young woman ... would do what you did,” he said.
“This murder was brutal, callous, cold-blooded.”
Robert Whitwell's brother Geoffrey leaving the court. Picture: Dean Martin/AAP
Last month, the court heard Dwyer was motivated by robbery but was also influenced by TV show American Horror Story.
Lawyer Craig Caldicott, for Dwyer, described that aspect as “very troubling”.
Her mother Tonya Dwyer has previously said her daughter had an obsession with graveyards and “dark things” which set her on a macabre path.
She said her and friend, Shelby Lee Angie Holmes, both had a fascination with knives and violence in the lead-up to the murder.
“I think they are little bit dark, as in they would do things in cemeteries and go to cemetery tours and dark things,” Ms Dwyer said.
“There were some things with blood and knives. I think they had a bit of an obsession with some dark stuff.”
Dwyer pleaded guilty to the murder one month after her arrest, while Burns pleaded guilty to murder without intent, which has the same maximum and mandatory minimum, in August 2017.
Brittney Jade Dwyer was motivated in part to murder her grandfather by a TV show1:41
Supreme Court hears Brittney Jade Dwyer was, in part, motivated to murder her grandfather by TV show American Horror Story. Courtesy: Network Ten
- October 18th 2017
- 22 days ago
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Brittney Dwyer motivated in part by a TV show
In April 2016, Dwyer and Holmes drove almost 2000km from Queensland to Adelaide to rob Mr Whitwell.
As Holmes was checking out the house, she sent text messages to Dwyer. One said: “He said hey to me omg he’s lovely.”
His granddaughter replied: “He is very lovely. Don’t get attached to him. He might have to die.”
The following day, the pair returned to the Craigmore home and failed in their attempt to rob him.
In early August, Dwyer again made the journey to Adelaide — this time with Burns.
Mr Whitwell started to show his granddaughter some photos of her and her brother as children and Dwyer decided she couldn’t go through with killing him.
She sent a text message to Burns saying she was pulling out.
Bernadette Burns was received a minimum of 13.5 years jail.
But Burns talked her out of it, saying her mother would know she’d visited her grandfather if she didn’t go through with it and that she needed to “harden up”.
As Mr Whitwell walked his granddaughter to the front door, she stabbed him in the neck, before he turned around and placed his hands on her shoulders.
She then stabbed him in the chest and again in the neck.
Bleeding profusely, Mr Whitwell asked his granddaughter why she had attacked him. She did not respond. He then walked to the kitchen and grabbed a band-aid.
Incredibly, Dwyer helped him apply the band-aid and handed him a cloth before she started washing the dishes as he passed away.
His body was discovered three days later and the killers were arrested on August 26.
Robert Whitwell with Brittney Dwyer
In July, the court dismissed allegations made by Dwyer that her grandfather may have sexually molested her as a child.
The month before, Mr Whitwell’s brother Geoffrey Whitwell spoke of his family’s devastation at comforting Dwyer in the days after the death, before discovering his own granddaughter had killed him.
Holmes was given a 17-month suspended sentence for trespassing at Mr Whitwell’s home in April.
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Brittney Dwyer ‘obsessed’ with knives and graveyards before murdering her grandfather Robert Whitwell
THE mother of Brittney Dwyer, the teenager who murdered her loving grandfather, has spoken about her daughter’s chilling obsessions.
Mitch Mott
The AdvertiserNovember 6, 20177:41am
Brittney Dwyer’s horrific act against her grandfather
AN obsession with graveyards and “dark things” set a teenager on a macabre path which led her to murder her grandfather, an elderly pensioner who had treasured her as a child.
Brittney Dwyer calmly washed dishes only feet away from where her grandfather, 81-year-old Robert Whitwell, slowly bled to death at his Adelaide home in early August, 2016.
Outside in a car, its engine still warm from the long drive from Brisbane, Dwyer’s accomplice Bernadette Burns sat, applying makeup and sending text messages prompting Dwyer to “harden up” and commit murder.
Dwyer’s mother, daughter of Mr Whitwell, Tonya Dwyer, hasn’t spoken to Dwyer in more than a year and told Channel 7’sSunday Night that she “deserves 20 years in jail”. “She did the crime. She admitted to it. She pleased guilty.”
She said she had watched as her daughter grew from a bubbly child to a sullen teenager who self harmed and was obsessed with violence and death.
Alongside best friend Shelby Lee Holmes, Dwyer began a fascination with knives and violence which culminated in the stabbing murder of Mr Whitwell.
“I think they are a little bit dark, as in they would do things in cemeteries and go to cemetery tours and dark things,” Ms Dwyer said.
“There were some things with blood and knives. I think they had a bit of an obsession with some dark stuff.”
Tonya Dwyer is determined to keep her father's memory alive
Tonya Whitwell with her father Robert Whitwell. Her daughter, Brittney Jade Dwyer, killed Mr Whitwell.Source:The Advertiser
Holmes, also speaking to Sunday Night, denied the interest was any more than a typical teenage behaviour.
“It was just what any other normal teenager would be interested in, like horror movies and things like that,” Holmes said. “Nothing alarming.”
Ms Dwyer said she was still “furious” with her daughter for making accusations Mr Whitwell had sexually abused her as a child as a cover for a failed plot to steal his money which ended in murder.
“I was furious and that’s the reason why I would still slap her in the face,” Ms Dwyer said. “All that anger that is inside.”
Shelby Holmes with Brittney Dwyer.Source:Supplied
Bernadette Burns also pleaded guilty over the murder of Robert Whitwell.Source:Supplied
Holmes had accompanied Dwyer on the long drive from Brisbane to Adelaide in April 2016 in an attempt to steal more than $100,000 Mr Whitwell had hidden in his garden shed.
The attempt failed with the pair escaping empty-handed but not before Dwyer warned that her grandfather “might have to die” if they were to get the money.
Four months later Dwyer was back on the road to Adelaide, this time with 22-year-old Burns who was in a self destructive cycle after losing custody of her young daughter.
Wearing gloves and concealing a knife Dwyer knocked on Mr Whitwell’s door.
They spent some time together before Dwyer stabbed him several times to the neck as they were heading to the front door.
He bled to death, despite a token band aid Dwyer applied before going to the sink to do the dishes.
Brittney Jade Dwyer was motivated in part to murder her grandfather by a TV show
Bernadette Burns was arrested with Brittney Jade Dwyer over the death of Robert Whitwell.Source:Supplied
Dwyer and Burns left Adelaide with a little over $1000 in cash after having once again failed to find the life savings.
Dwyer drove straight from Adelaide to her mother’s house in Brisbane where she had only just learnt of the fate of her father.
“Little did I know she was still driving back from Adelaide,” Ms Dwyer said.
“I told her the police have just rung and Poppa has just passed away. She just burst into tears, hysterically burst into tears.
“I said I need you to come with me and fly down to Adelaide.”
Shelby Lee Angie Holmes, who gave evidence at court, with Brittney Dwyer.Source:Supplied
In the days that followed Dwyer grieved alongside the family of the man she had murdered with her mother only thinking that her chain-smoking during that time was out of character.
An anonymous tip off would lead police to arrest Dwyer and Burns and it was not long before both pleaded guilty to the crime.
“I’ve lost two people, I’ve lost my dad and I’ve lost my daughter,” Ms Dwyer said.
“I don’t know if I will ever understand the whole story.”
Dwyer and Burns will be sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday.
Originally published as Mum says Brittney Dwyer deserves 20 years jail
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