Alleged murder victim Deborah Balbi suffered years of horrific domestic violence, court told

A WOMAN was stabbed with a hunting knife, punched and strangled unconscious as she endured years of brutal domestic violence — before her abusive partner finally murdered her, a court has heard.

Murder

A WOMAN was stabbed with a hunting knife, punched and strangled unconscious as she endured years of brutal domestic violence before her abusive partner finally murdered her, a court has heard.

Michael Lyall Johnson, 43, is accused of murdering de facto partner Deborah Balbi at their Maylands unit in December 2012 — but despite his alleged history of violence against her was not arrested and charged until almost three years later on August 14.

Opposing bail, Carolyn Lam told the Adelaide Magistrates Court initial medical reports concluded a drug overdose caused Ms Balbi’s death but further post-mortem investigations had revealed “deep tissue bruising to the neck” as a likely cause of death.

She said follow-up pathological investigations had now indicated Ms Balbi, who often spent weeks at a time in emergency women’s shelters, met a violent end at the hands of her de facto partner.

However, this is contested by Johnson’s lawyers.

“They state it’s unlikely death has occurred as a result of cardiac arrhythmia totally unrelated to neck compression,” Ms Lam said.

She said the later reports showed the level of methamphetamine in Ms Balbi’s system at the time of her death was non-lethal and there were no traces of alcohol or other drugs in her blood.

Ms Lam said a neighbour will testify the couple had been heard arguing on the night she died.

“Sometime after 4am he heard the deceased yell ‘stop’ from somewhere upstairs.

“He heard a high-pitched scream, as if someone was in pain, and then total silence.”

The court heard Johnson called authorities at 4.48am and said “come quick, my partner, my partner”.

Ms Lam said Johnson’s DNA was also found under Ms Balbi’s fingernails.

She detailed to the court a shocking history of alleged domestic violence perpetrated against Ms Balbi including her reporting to the RAH on November 31 — two weeks before she died — with hunting knife stab wounds to her back and strangulation injuries inflicted by Johnson.

Physical examinations confirmed Ms Balbi had been attacked as she described and had suffered a series of bruises, scratches and wounds to her body.

“Importantly, the deceased told the treating doctor she had been subjected to strangulation by the defendant with increasing frequency and force,” Ms Lam said.

“She said she had lost consciousness as Johnson strangled her but was adamant she did not want to press charges against him.”

The court heard Johnson had been convicted of assaulting Ms Balbi and a neighbour who tried to intervene in 2011. He was placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond.

Five weeks before her death, Ms Balbi also told her GP she was in “crisis”.

“She told him she had spent past two weeks in bed after an attack.

“She told the doctor he was controlling and abusive towards her but felt powerless to leave him.”

Ms Lam also told the court that a week before her death, Ms Balbi had told a female neighbour that Johnson was “going to kill her”.

She alleged the neighbour will testify Ms Balbi “looked a mess and sounded terrified”, so she gave her $20 to escape.

Ms Lam told the court Johnson had been mentally unwell and paranoid leading up to Ms Balbi’s death and remained a danger to the community if released on bail.

‘He said he was the Angel or Messiah and people were out to get him.”

Lawyers for Johnson said the evidence against their client was “circumstantial” and asked why it took more than two years to charge him if the case was as strong as prosecutors submitted.

They said the initial cause of death was listed as “undetermined, pending further investigation” and later indicated it was caused by an “enlarged heart due to amphetamine use”.

Magistrate David Whittle refused bail.

Johnson will next appear in court for further declarations in November.