Archer jailed 22 years for Jody's murder

Neil Archer has been jailed for at least 22 years for the murder of his partner Jody Meyers, who he buried under a concrete slab in SA.

Family and supporters of Jody Meyers

A SA man has been jailed for at least 22 years for killing his partner and burying her body. (AAP)

A South Australian man who killed his partner and buried her body under a concrete slab has been jailed for at least 22 years.

Neil Archer, 31, murdered 20-year-old Jody Meyers in August 2015 during a heated argument at their home east of Adelaide.

In the Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Trish Kelly imposed the mandatory head sentence of life in jail but set a non-parole period of 22 years.

The judge described Archer as a controlling individual who believed he owned his partner's life.

She said Archer believed relatives of Ms Meyers were trying to break up their relationship.

When he revealed his concerns to his brother-in-law, he was told he had two options, put up with it or leave.

Archer's response was to say "I will just kill her", Justice Kelly said.

"That statement speaks volumes about your mindset towards Jody.

"It betrays the attitude of a man who thinks he owns his partner's life.

"It is all too commonly seen in controlling and abusive men, like you, who end up killing their partner."

Justice Kelly said Archer told a series of "extravagant" lies to police and the media to try to explain Ms Meyers' disappearance.

After he killed her he buried her body under the floor of a toolshed in the backyard of his parents' home.

He returned the next day and covered the grave with fresh concrete.

Justice Kelly said police investigating the disappearance of Ms Meyers were struck by Archer's lack of concern and distress and described his conviction as "well nigh inevitable" based on the evidence.

He subsequently pleaded guilty to murder, with a member of Ms Meyers' family telling him to "rot you piece of s***" as he was led away from the dock on Friday.

Outside the court, Ms Meyers' brother-in-law Michael Bates said the family was basically happy with the outcome.

"It would be nice for him to be in there for life and never see the light of day again," Mr Bates said.

"But with the way the system is, that's a good outcome for us."

National domestic violence helpline: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call triple-zero.


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Source: AAP



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