Day 3: Tyrone Thompson sentence hearing over Mackenzie Anderson’s murder

A killer’s fixation over a superficial cut to his hand as officers worked to try and save his ex-girlfriend after he her stabbed 78 times has shown his lack of concern for his victim, prosecutors have told a court.

The unit block where Newcastle mum Mackenzie Anderson was stabbed to her death by Tyrone Thompson. Picture: Toby Zerna

Tyrone Thompson’s fixation over a cut to his hand as officers worked to try and save his ex-girlfriend who he stabbed 78 times has shown his lack of concern for his victim, prosecutors have told his sentencing hearing.

Mackenzie Anderson, 21, died in the frenzied, three minute long attack at her Mayfield unit in 2022.

Tyrone Thompson, 25, pleaded guilty to her murder ahead of day three of his sentence hearing in the NSW Supreme Court in Newcastle on Wednesday.

In the gallery, the victim’s friends and family watched on.

Thompson, then 22-years-old, was on parole at the time of the murder and had just been let out from prison for domestic violence offences against Ms Anderson 16 days prior.

An agreed statement of facts tendered to court earlier this month said prosecutors could not disprove she had hold of a knife at the time the pair argued, and that Thompson attempted to disarm her but cut himself or that he stabbed her after disarming her of a knife.

Mackenzie Anderson was murdered in Mayfield by her ex-partner Tyrone Thompson.

Thompson being escorted into the back of Sydney's Supreme Court on April 1. Picture: Nine News

During closing submissions, Crown Prosecutor Brendan Queenan said it was clear Thompson had “no concern” for his former girlfriend following his behaviour at the crime scene and that he seemed more concerned with a “superficial” wound to his hand.

The statement of facts said Thompson had yelled words to the effect of: “Help me! She’s dead!” after police arrived to find Ms Anderson’s bloodied body on the landing area of her unit.

The 21-year-old died after being stabbed 78 times.

“Police told him to be quiet so he could determine if she was breathing,” the facts said.

“The offender yelled, “I’m bleeding out everywhere. Man, can you please help my blood pressure? Officer, can you help my blood pressure please? I’m pissing out blood”.

Mr Queenan also told Justice Richard Weinstein there was a series of “considered” actions from Thompson who was aware Ms Anderson had called police, used a ladder to get into the Mayfield premises and ran out of the house with the key in a bid to get back in.

He agreed that while it was not premeditated, there was some degree of planning and that the killing was not purely spur of the moment.

“Perfectly clear he was not welcome at the house,” Mr Queenan said.

Defence barrister David Carroll told the court there was no intention to kill by his client.

He said Thompson was unmedicated when the murder took place and it did play a part in the events that day, given he had “significant” mental health issues and suffered from a complex background.

The court heard at the time of the stabbing, Thompson was suffering complex post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe personality disorder, but it was agreed by both parties there was no psychosis.

Mr Caroll said given his “significant condition” it should go towards his moral culpability.

Justice Weinstein adjourned the hearing until Friday for judgment.

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