Killer cleaned knives as cousin lay dying

When a judge sentenced Katherine Abdallah to the killing of her younger cousin, her voice cracked when she spoke about the impact on the family.

Katherine Abdallah is escorted from a prison vehicle in Sydney

Katherine Abdallah has been sentenced to a maximum of 11 years over stabbing death of her cousin. (AAP)

After stabbing her younger cousin, Katherine Abdallah told a Triple-0 operator she was applying pressure to the fatal wound.

She was, in fact, carefully cleaning the two large kitchen knives she used in the killing.

It was this and many other damning facts Justice Christine Adamson pointed to when sentencing the 33-year-old to at least eight years and three months for the manslaughter of Suzie Sarkis following a violent argument at the home they shared in Sydney.

Abdallah had a history of using violence and words to "discipline, dominate and control" her 21-year-old cousin, as shown in a string of arguments the pair had in the 48 hours leading up to Ms Sarkis's death in February, 2013.

The first - on February 8 - was sparked after Ms Sarkis borrowed her elder cousin's newly leased Mercedes and was pulled over by the police.

The next morning, Ms Sarkis wrote a note to Abdallah apologising, saying "I'm not like the rest, I love you unconditionally".

But later that day when Ms Sarkis borrowed the Mercedes again, another fight erupted - this time publicly.

Abdallah left an injured Ms Sarkis on the street to find her own way home to their Brighton-Le-Sands townhouse.

On returning to the townhouse, Justice Adamson said CCTV footage shows tensions flare up once more with Ms Sarkis picking up a vase and dropping it before trying to leave.

Abdallah obstructs her exit.

During the flurry of kicks and punches that follow, Abdallah hits Ms Sarkis with a pack of four drink cans before running into the kitchen.

She arms herself with two large kitchen knives and strikes out at the 21-year-old, plunging the blade seven centimetres into her.

Ms Sarkis walks a few steps before collapsing.

During the Triple-0 call that followed, Abdallah "told the operator that she was applying pressure to the wound on Ms Sarkis's chest when she was in fact cleaning the knives".

While it was "reasonably possible" the 33-year-old believed she was acting in self-defence when she stabbed Ms Sarkis, Justice Adamson said the act was "wholly unreasonable".

Abdallah was 10 years older than Ms Sarkis, taller, larger and significantly stronger.

Ms Sarkis clearly had an emotional attachment to Abdallah and approached her unarmed and with her hands beside her side, despite the older woman holding two knives, Justice Adamson found.

The court heard Abdallah was using cocaine daily in the lead up to the killing.

Far from taking Ms Sarkis "under her wing" and looking after her, Abdallah used the drug with her.

The killing was yet another "impulsive act of violence ... leading to death".

Justice Adamson sentenced Abdullah to a maximum jail term of 11 years. Abdallah will be eligible for parole in March 2023.


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Source: AAP


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