Three men get life sentence for party murder of Thea Kheav

THREE men whose actions led to the stabbing murder of a man at a birthday party have not only ruined their victim's life but their own, a court hears.

THREE men whose actions led to a stabbing murder at a birthday party have been jailed for at least 20 years.

Chansyna Duong, 23, Tuan Kiet David Huynh, 22, both of Paralowie, and Rotha Sem, 21, of Walkley Heights, were in December found guilty of murdering Thea Kheav, 21, after an 18th birthday party at Parafield Gardens.

During the trial the jury heard a group of men had  "comprehensively" bashed Mr Kheav with blocks of wood, kicked and punched him, and probably sliced his face with a machete before allegedly Duong delivered the fatal blow - puncturing his liver, diaphragm, left lung and heart.

Mr Kheav - who later died of blood loss - was found with more than 30 injuries on his body, including a 6cm machete wound to his face, following the attack. 

Today Supreme Court Justice Chris Kourakis sentenced the men to life imprisonment with a 20-year non-parole period.

Justice Kourakis told the men although it had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt that they delivered the fatal blow, their actions had knowingly led to the circumstances under which Mr Kheav was murdered.

He said the events of December 1, 2007 had "tragic consequences" and the victim's family was "deeply scarred" by the loss of their main source of joy.

"The youthful bravado and sense of immortality that the three of you going to this party had, had tragic consequences for Thea Kheav," Justice Kourakis said.

"It must now also dash the hopes and aspirations you must have had for what are usually the most productive and challenging but also rewarding years of a person's life."