Jesmond stabbing: Kevin George Smith accused of murdering Daniel Pettersson during second altercation

Detectives allege the two men had already been in one altercation moments before Daniel Pettersson walked back inside a Jesmond house and was stabbed to death.

Daniel Pettersson was murdered after confronting a love rival in a house belonging to the family of a woman who had been in past relationships with both men, police allege.

Kevin George Smith, 37, briefly faced Newcastle Local Court on Thursday charged with the murder of Mr Pettersson at the Jesmond home belonging to the family of the woman, who had seen Smith for two years before 2019 and is currently carrying Mr Pettersson’s child.

Daniel Pettersson, who died after being stabbed at Jesmond

Mr Pettersson was allegedly stabbed once below the collar bone after arriving at the Michael St address on the afternoon of January 6.

Paramedics attempted to stem the bleeding and Mr Pettersson was rushed to John Hunter Hospital but died before arrival.

Smith had moved into the Michael St home to look after the woman’s dogs after she left to live with her father.

The scene of the stabbing on Michael Rd; Jesmond. Picture: Dan Proudman

Police will allege Mr Pettersson and Smith had already been in one altercation moments before Mr Pettersson walked back into the house and suffered the stab wound that would kill him.

Smith allegedly left the scene and was the centre of a six-day manhunt before he walked into Newcastle police station on Wednesday afternoon and handed himself in after speaking with prominent criminal defence lawyer Mark Ramsland.

Kevin George Smith, 37, has been charged with the murder of Daniel Pettersson. Picture: NSW Police.

Smith was later charged with murder.

He has not been required to enter a plea for the murder charge and Mr Ramsland did not apply for bail on his client’s behalf when Smith faced court on Thursday.

Smith will reappear in court on March 10.