Bradley Wayne Trussell appealing against conviction for brutal murder of his partner

A man who was found guilty of murdering his young partner after “sustained abuse” has been sentenced to life in jail – but he has launched an appeal against his conviction.

A man who was found guilty of murdering his young partner after “sustained abuse” has been jailed for life.

But even as he was told he would spend the rest of his life either in prison, or under strict supervision, Bradley Wayne Trussell’s lawyer indicated he would be appealing against his client’s guilty verdict.

Trussell was found guilty of murdering his partner Eden Kennett, 25, in the Supreme Court and, on Friday, was sentenced by Justice Ann Bampton.

Trussell, 30, was given a non-parole period of 20 years, the minimum which can be set under current legislation unless special circumstances are established.

Justice Ann Bampton said during sentencing that the fatal beating of Ms Kennett occurred during a “dysfunctional, unstable and domestically violent relationship” in which both of them were taking drugs.

Ms Kennett died from fatal brain injuries caused by sustained low blood pressure which was itself caused by a lacerated liver.

Trussell delayed taking Ms Kennett to the hospital and took her to his sister’s house first.

Video footage of the Mount Gambier Hospital showed Ms Kennett being wheeled into the hospital unconscious.

Murder victim Eden Kennett. Picture: Supplied by family

Bradley Wayne Trussell has been convicted of murdering Eden Kennett at Mt Gambier.

Trussell dropped Ms Kennett at hospital unconscious, bruised from head to toe and frothing at the mouth. A day later she was declared brain dead.

She suffered a fatal injury to her liver caused by blunt force trauma and had head trauma, fractured ribs and more than 40 bruises.

Outside court Ms Kennett’s mother Tammy Simpson said she was happy to have seen Trussell jailed for murder, but was disgusted that he continued to show no remorse over the offending.

During the hearing Nick Vadasz, for Trussell announced his client had been granted leave to appeal against his murder conviction and the matter would be heard by the full sitting of the Supreme Court next year.

“She was 67 of 69 women who died in 2019 as a result of domestic violence,” Ms Simpson said.

“(His appeal) is degrading, it doesn’t make me very happy. But I am confident I am going to do everything in my power to ensure he serves everyday of that life sentence behind bars.

“I want this sentence to show that people won’t get away with these kinds of crimes.

“There are always going to be people like me that bring you out and more people need to stand up and speak out.”

Tammy Simpson, mother of domestic violence victim Eden Kennett, holding a picture of Eden outside the Supreme Court, Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Roy VanDerVegt

During the trial, Michael Foundas, prosecuting, said Trussell had inflicted a lengthy course of physical violence against his partner.

Trussell initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied he had intended to kill Ms Kennett.

He stood trial for murder before Justice Ann Bampton alone and was found guilty.

During sentencing submissions in November this year, Ms Simpson had a simple message for Trussell: “I hate you”.

In an emotional victim impact statement Ms Simpson described the trauma of losing her daughter.

“Your childish temper tantrums took my daughter’s life,” she said. “You didn’t just take my daughter’s life, you destroyed other people’s lives too.”