Andrew Mario Mungatopi committed to Supreme Court over alleged murder of 37-year-old sistergirl

A Territory judge heard that young children allegedly witnessed as a beloved Territory sistergirl was stabbed by her uncle in a Darwin backyard.

NT Police officers at a unit on Fawcett Court, Malak after a 37-year-old was allegedly murdered by their uncle, aged 33 on October 7. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Young children allegedly witnessed as a beloved Territory sistergirl was stabbed by her uncle in a Darwin backyard.

On Wednesday Darwin Local Court judge Tanya Fong Lim heard that at least two children had given evidence to police as part of their homicide investigation into the alleged stabbing of a 37-year-old in a Malak garden late last year.

Andrew Mario Mungatopi was charged with murder after his 37-year-old relative — who cannot be named for cultural reasons — was fatally stabbed in the backyard of a Fawcett Court unit complex.

Both police and the courts have used male pronouns when describing the alleged victim, despite loved ones confirming the 37-year-old identified as a sistergirl.

NT Police officers at a unit on Fawcett Court, Malak after a 37-year-old was allegedly murdered by her uncle, aged 33 on October 7. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Fong Lim heard that the alleged victim was “having a feed” in the Malak home on Monday, October 7, when she was slapped by her 34-year-old uncle.

She went outside only to be pursued by Mr Mungatopi armed with a knife.

Ms Fong Lim said a boy in the neighbouring home told police he looked out his window to see the 37-year-old being stabbed, and ran to his mother for help.

His mother rushed out and performed CPR on the bleeding woman until paramedics arrived.

NT Police officers at a unit on Fawcett Court, Malak after a 37-year-old was allegedly murdered by her uncle on October 7. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

As she was on the phone to triple-0, it was alleged Mr Mungatopi took her mobile and described to the emergency call responders what had happened.

Mr Mungatopi was arrested at the scene and has remained in custody on remand for the past 170 days.

Ms Fong Lim said multiple family members, including another child, had provided witness statements as part of the police investigation.

On Wednesday his case was officially committed to the Supreme Court on a single count of murder.

If found guilty the 34-year-old will face life imprisonment, with a 20 year non-parole period.

Mr Mungatopi’s next hearing date was set for May 1.

Originally published as Andrew Mario Mungatopi committed to Supreme Court over alleged murder of 37-year-old sistergirl