Kevin James Pettiford: Dispute in court over whether ‘Hand of Death’ killer ‘knew right from wrong’, was mentally impaired

The lives of two homeless men were snatched away, an inmate’s throat was torn to shreds and a prison guard was attacked – but the self-proclaimed “Hand of Death” killer could be found not criminally responsible. Here’s why.

David Collin (left) was killed by Kevin James Pettiford (centre). Experts like Professor David Greenberg (right) are now divided over whether Pettiford had a mental impairment when he killed Mr Collin and viciously injured an inmate, Nathan Mellows. Pettiford has also admitted to killing Andy Murray and attacking a prison guard.

The Victorian man who brutally slayed two homeless men in NSW and Queensland, slashed a prison guard and tore apart an inmate’s throat has a sordid past of neglect, drunkenness and prescription medicine abuse, a court heard.

Kevin James Pettiford, 38, lives with chronic depression and anxiety, experts told the Supreme Court during an ongoing trial for murder and attempted murder.

But experts giving evidence have been divided over whether Pettiford, who is pleading not guilty, was so mentally impaired he is not criminally responsible for the bludgeoning death of Byron Bay man Andrew Murray in the Tweed, or the throat slashing of Cessnock inmate Nathan Mellows.

Kevin Pettiford faces murder and attempted murder charges – but already admits he killed two people and injured two others.

Pettiford has admitted to police that he killed Murray, 56, and Sunshine Coast man David Collin, 53, in 2019, both with rocks, as well as the other acts.

He secreted a razor in his genitals to make a weapon and attack the guard.

Pettiford told police he would put on a “f--king fantastic performance” in court in interviews played to the jurors in the trial in Sydney before Justice Hament Dhanji.

The trial began on November 8 and could go for a month.

The court has heard Pettiford lives with night terrors, dreams where he would “always die” and that he would wake up suffering from panic attacks.

David Collin was killed at 53.

Pettiford was abusing two antidepressants, paroxetine and aropax, as well as drinking up to 24 standard alcoholic drinks every second day.

The court heard Pettiford learned his stepdad was not his real father at a young age and that his biological dad had problems with alcohol. His mother “wished he was dead”.

Professor David Greenberg is one of the experts giving evidence in the Supreme Court trial. Picture: Dylan Coker

Forensic psychologist Professor David Greenberg told the court medication controlled Pettiford’s anxiety, but his underlying personality remained the same.

“Being the ‘Hand of Death’, someone special – that’s part of his narcissism and anti-social behaviour,” the jury heard.

“His killing of Collin, Murray, attempted murder of Mellows and his attack on a Corrections officer are all features of his anti-social personality disorder and narcissism.”

The savage nature of Andy Murray’s death rocked the Tweed in 2019. Picture: Jodie Calcott.

Prof Greenberg said when Pettiford drank “the alcohol fights with the medication because there is an underlying anger to the world”.

However, Prof Greenberg said Pettiford’s impairment did not stop him understanding the nature of his actions and knowing right from wrong.

“He is not psychotic,” Prof Greenberg said.

He said Pettiford did not appear to be in a “manic state” of bipolar disorder.

Jack Evans Boat Harbour, where Andy Murray was killed. Picture: Luke Mortimer

“Pettiford questioned himself before he went through with the act (killing),” Prof Greenberg said.

“He goes to the library, gets something to eat, watches videos, goes to the beach and said he is relaxing – manic people don’t relax.”

Prof Greenberg said Pettiford had more a “personality” or “character” problem, rather than a “mental illness”

He said Pettiford’s various disorders can impair, however, could be controlled by medication.

Pettiford has features of both narcissistic and anti-social personality disorders, experts have told the court.

Police investigating at Tweed back in 2019. Picture: Jodie Calcott.

Pettiford “drank alcohol to drown out the thoughts and urges to kill people” – but told police he was drunk when Mr Collin’s life was snatched away.

“I was very anti-social, just anxiety, just fear of being rejected,” Pettiford said.

“When the alcohol wore off I regretted it.”

Pettiford watched on as his mental health – the key factor in the case – was a topic of debate.

Prof Greenberg said Pettiford “basically hates people, he doesn’t trust people.”

“He is a loner, he jumps from place to place and he doesn’t care about anyone. ‘Why should I give a f —k about people they don’t give a f —k about me’,” he said.

The trial continues.