Johnathon Goodfellow found not guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter of Jordan Torrans in 2023

The man accused of murdering a young father over debt owed on motorbikes shook his head and uttered the word “bulls***” as a jury revealed his fate.

The man accused of murdering a young father over debt owed on motorbikes shook his head and uttered the word “bulls***” as a jury revealed his fate.

Just before 4pm on Tuesday, after only six hours of deliberation, the jury in Johnathon Malcolm Goodfellow’s trial found him not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

Goodfellow, 32 of Salisbury Downs, was charged with murdering Mr Torrans after an argument over a $300 payment for motorbikes that he had received. He pleaded not guilty, and told the court he had acted in self defence.

During the trial, Jeff Powell, for Goodfellow, told the court his client was at home preparing dinner on the night of September 20, 2023 when Jordan Torrans bashed on his kitchen door and threatened him with knuckledusters.

Over the two weeks, the jury heard Mr Torrans was stabbed multiple times to his chest and body with a knife that was about 12cm long.

Jordan Torrans was killed by Goodfellow in 2023. Picture: 7NEWS

The court heard Mr Torrans had arrived at Goodfellow’s home asking for payment for motorbikes when he was stabbed.

“He received six stab wounds. Five of those were to his chest and stomach area, and one to his left calf. Three of the stab wounds he received were in a cluster or group around the left side of his chest,” prosecutor Paul Tate said.

“One of those three stab wounds penetrated his heart. It was that stab wound that killed him.”

Taking the stand to give evidence in his own defence, Goodfellow told the jury Mr Torrans attacked him in his kitchen.

“He got in my face, started pushing me around and then he started swinging at me,” Mr Goodfellow said.

“He pushed me up against the fridge and he kept swinging, and I just had no choice but to defend myself.

“What happened is unfortunate but I ended up stabbing him.”

Family and loved ones of alleged murder victim Jordan Torrans arriving in court for the trial. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt.

On Tuesday afternoon, Goodfellow stood, breathing heavily, as the jury found him not guilty of murder.

“For the offence of manslaughter, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?” the jury were asked.

“Guilty,” they said.

Goodfellow will return to court next month, when victim impact statements will be read.

As he left the courtroom, he shook his head, whispering “bulls***”.

Originally published as Johnathon Goodfellow found not guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter of Jordan Torrans in 2023