Jessie James Tumaliuan Pleads Guilty to Wife's Murder
Key Details
- Jessie James Tumaliuan, 42, pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife, Czarina Tumaliuan.
- He accepted a sentence indication of 20 years, with a potential maximum of 26 years before parole eligibility.
- Czarina Tumaliuan was found fatally stabbed in the backyard of a Werribee home in Melbourne's west on March 27.
- Tumaliuan was arrested following his wife's death and later made three calls to emergency services.
Incident Background
- The couple had been separated, but Tumaliuan continued to access their shared residence.
- On the day of the incident, Tumaliuan used a key to enter the home, reportedly intending a verbal confrontation with his wife regarding money.
- CCTV footage captured portions of the event, including Ms. Tumaliuan's screams as she moved into the backyard, with audio ceasing after about 10 seconds.
- Prosecutor Nadia Kaddeche indicated that an assault began inside the home, after which the victim ran outside, audible stating she had been injured. Kaddeche added that the assault continued off-camera outside the house.
Legal Proceedings
- Tumaliuan's barrister, Chris Hooper, acknowledged that Ms. Tumaliuan was unarmed and defenseless, sustaining multiple stab wounds, while Tumaliuan possessed a knife.
- Hooper stated Tumaliuan initially entered unarmed and without murderous intent, claiming his intention was to cause serious injury, not death, during "circumstances that occurred off-camera."
- After initially showing distress, Tumaliuan accepted the sentence indication after consulting his lawyer and formally pleaded guilty to one count of murder.
- His trial, previously set for February, was canceled.
- Tumaliuan remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on March 13 for a pre-sentence hearing, where his formal sentence will be decided.