Benjamin Scott Art charged with murdering Annette Kiss
Police allege a man accused of murdering his new housemate was armed with a sickening array of weapons before they found him lying on top of her body at their inner west Sydney home.
NSW
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A man allegedly murdered his new housemate using a meat cleaver, a sword and a claw foot hammer while their terrified housemates at an inner west Sydney share house watched on.
Benjamin Scott Art, 42, was charged with murdering Annette Kiss at a Clements St home in Russell Lea on Thursday, in scenes one officer said were “among the worst” he had seen.
On Friday police had opened a garage at the property and were still scouring it for evidence, with officers later seen removing brown paper evidence bags from the home.
A document of allegations written by police outlines frightening claims about what happened before the alleged killing.
“The accused ran inside holding a sword in one hand, and in the other two knives,” police allege.
“The accused was also in possession of a claw hammer and a meat cleaver.”
Police allege Art yelled at several of his roommates to sit down, and showed Ms Kiss, 53, multiple texts from an unknown sender on his phone.
“You’re trying to set me up, who you got to try and kill me? Who’s the chick texting me?” Art is alleged to have yelled.
“You’re trying to set me up or get me killed, now you’re trying to kill me."
Police allege Art then grabbed Ms Kiss by her neck, before unleashing a horrific assault with the meat cleaver.
Another female housemate is said to have attempted to stop him with a chair before fleeing in terror to call police.
What followed is too graphic and distressing to repeat.
When police arrived at the house, they allegedly discovered Art lying on top of Ms Kiss armed with a dark coloured sword.
Neighbour Jim Kiahara described what he had heard before police raced to the home.
“There was big loud screaming from a man. I was just sitting there enjoying the sun. I saw them pull him out and put him in the paddy wagon,” Mr Kiahara said.
“The police were quick. It’s very sad really.”
Art and Kiss’ other three roommates – all of whom had moved in only weeks earlier – were all at the property when the incident unfolded.
It is understood rooms within the house – which is not a boarding house – were being sublet without the owner or real estate agent’s knowledge.
The house is owned by Antoinette Inangeri, who manages property accounts at Leichhardt real estate agency Gerard Partners.
She declined to comment when contacted.
Well-known Sydney criminal solicitor Javid Faiz appeared for Art at Parramatta Bail Court on Friday, where he did not apply for Art’s bail and it was formally refused.
The matter was adjourned to Burwood Local Court for a brief status mention on August 22.
“My client understands the seriousness of the matter,” Mr Faiz said outside court.
“He’s instructed me not to make a release application today.”
On Thursday, Burwood Police Area Command Commander Superintendent Christine McDonald had said Art had a “nonviolent” history in NSW.
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