Jhye Martin-Blackett pleads guilty to affray over involvement in deadly Whalan Reserve brawl

The lead up to a deadly brawl, which saw a protective father fatally stabbed, has been revealed in court as a clash between housemates over a cat and PlayStation descended into madness.

Left: Jhye Martin-Blackett leaves Parramatta District Court. Inset: Matthew Smale who was killed

A teenager has faced court over his involvement in a deadly brawl which saw his former housemate stabbed and the boy’s father killed, after a disagreement over a cat and a PlayStation descended into violence.

Jhye Martin-Blackett, 20, recently appeared at Parramatta District Court after previously pleading guilty to affray relating to his role in a deadly brawl which saw 40-year-old Matthew Smale killed and his son Jaiden Smale and brother-in-law Robert Corrigan stabbed.

Agreed police facts state two months prior, Jaiden Smale and Martin-Blackett, were living together at a Kingswood home with their partners before things deteriorated.

On December 20, 2021 Martin-Blackett and his partner were told to move out by Smale’s girlfriend.

The next day, Smale and his girlfriend had left the unit and found majority of their property missing on their return.

Text messages seen by police reveal Smale then texted his mother, telling her: “They took everything, I’m gonna bomb the c**t” and “Tell Dad to come through Emu Plains to look for him.”

Matthew Smale

The next morning Mr Smale and his partner discovered a PlayStation, their cat and other personal items were missing, prompting Smale to message Martin-Blackett demanding answers: “Where’s my PlayStation wait till I catch you c**t”.

In response Martin-Blackett sent Smale a Penrith location via Snapchat and said “come get ya keys then.”

When Mr Smale arrived he saw Martin-Blackett was with four other men and left without getting out of his car.

He then texted his father, Matthew Smale saying: “There’s a group of boys I’m gonna need your help”, court documents state.

His father then replied: “Call some people”.

Whalan Reserve where the melee took place.

A plan was then formed for the two groups to meet at Whalan Reserve at Tregear.

About 7:20pm, Jaiden and Matthew Smale, Robert Corrigan and four of their associates arrived and were soon joined by Martin-Blackett, along with Jacob Eid, Jacob Borja and several other people.

A violent melee then erupted with Martin-Blackett exchanging punches with Jaiden Smale who then fell to the ground while another man continued to land blows on him.

It is then alleged Jacob Borja emerged holding a 30cm knife and then allegedly stabbed Robert Corrigan in the arm, Jaiden Smale in the chest and Matthew Smale in the neck, killing him.

He has since been charged with murder and two counts of wounding with intent and pleaded not guilty to all charges. He will stand trial on October 9.

Martin-Blackett was arrested and charged on December 23 and was granted bail.

Last Wednesday, Parramatta District Court heard there were concerns over Martin-Blackett being on bail and coming into contact with Mr Smale.

Three members of Matthew Smale’s family were present in court.

When asked about their slain loved one, a woman described Mr Smale as an “awesome partner, awesome father and awesome man. That’s all there is to say.”

Martin-Blackett will be sentenced on March 30.

Jacob Eid, 20, of Hassall Grove has pleaded guilty to affray and will be sentenced at a later date. Neither Robert Corrigan or Jaiden Smale were charged in relation to the brawl.