Kapunda killer 'guilty, but not sorry'
CONFESSED Kapunda triple murderer Jason Alexander Downie has bulked up after a year behind bars.
CONFESSED Kapunda triple murderer Jason Alexander Downie has bulked up after a year behind bars.
But in his first court appearance in person since February, Downie yesterday still refused to look his victims' son and brother in the eye.
And Major Crime detectives say his confession should not be confused with contrition.
"His guilty pleas should notbe seen as any sign of remorse, on his part, for three murders which I think were of a truly savage nature," Detective Superintendent Grant Moyle said outside the Supreme Court.
"(They do) mean many people will not have to recount the nature of the crime scene (and) for the relatives and police officers involved, that's a relief."
He warned there was still much pain to come for the relatives of Andrew, Rose and Chantelle Rowe, and for the family's surviving son, Christopher.
"The family members are suffering, and they will suffer more," Det Supt Moyle said.
"Further details of the crime scene and what occurred will be revealed to them and the public, and it will be quite significant."
"Christopher's ability to attend court, and his composure, has been really fantastic."
Last month, Downie, 19, hesitated as he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder through a video link with the Elizabeth Magistrates Court.
By his pleas, he admitted murdering Andrew, Rose and Chantelle in their Harriet St, Kapunda, home on November 8 last year.
He will serve a mandatory life term for his crimes.
Yesterday, Downie was brought to the court in person, striding from the cells to the dock.
The awkward Scottish migrant of old has been replaced by a broad-shouldered man, sporting a goatee and mohawk.
He did not once look towards the public gallery where Christopher Rowe sat flanked by his fiancee and more than 50 supporters.
In a joint application, prosecutors and the defence asked that sentencing submissions be delayed until next year.
Justice John Sulan, who must formulate Downie's non-parole period, agreed with that course.
"A voluminous amount of material has been provided ... and I will read it all," Justice Sulan said.
"It would assist me if there could be an agreed basis of facts (provided), or at least the prosecution's factual version, if it cannot be agreed."
Carmen Matteo, prosecuting, said that would not be difficult.
"There is no indication there will be any particular area of contention," she said.
She asked that a lengthy period be set aside for the sentencing submissions hearing.
"It's anticipated there will be a large amount of victim impact statements ... at the moment, we are in the high twenties," she said.
"These are all people who are immediate next-of-kin or very close (relatives) and certainly we would say each is entitled to place their material before Your Honour."
Downie was remanded in custody until February.
Outside the court, Det Supt Moyle said the case against Downie was extensive. "That's due to the support of Forensics SA, which has been invaluable. They worked around the clock to give us the results we have," he said.
Phil Rowe, the eldest brother of Andrew, thanked police for their hard work.
His partner of 20 years, Cheryl Geppa, said the case had weighed heavily upon him.
"Phil has taken this really hard and he can't sleep at night," she said.
"Seeing (Downie) today was hard, and a lot of hateful things went through my mind.
"He just doesn't show any remorse for what he's done and I don't know how he can do that."
Ms Geppa said she hoped Justice Sulan would decline to set a non-parole period.