Fernando Paulino’s sons take him to court over mum’s brutal murder
After killing their beloved mother wasn’t enough, wife murderer Fernando Paulino now looks set to fight his now-estranged sons in court as they sue him for compensation.
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The children of remorseless wife killer Fernando Paulino are suing their dad for compensation over their mum’s murder.
Paulino brutally bashed his wife, 49-year-old Teresa, before stabbing her 16 times to her chest, stomach and back in 2013.
Now his sons, Daniel and Luke, as well as his brother-in-law Patrick Mancuso, want him to pay for his evil crime.
They have launched a Supreme Court application for compensation that could see the brothers face off with their now-estranged dad.
Paulino, who is serving a 25-year minimum sentence, appeared at court via video link today where he flagged fighting the compensation bid.
He had applied for Victoria Legal Aid to represent him in court, but the application was rejected because it didn’t meet the organisations funding guidelines.
It means he could be forced to defend the compensation claim by himself.
Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth told Paulino he should get to work preparing any material he wishes to submit to the court ahead of the matter returning to court next month.
She said while mediation was usually preferred ahead of a full hearing in similar cases, it may not be appropriate because Paulino was self-represented.
Paulino has vehemently denied any involvement in his ex-wife’s murder.
Her bloodied body was found in the garage of her mother’s Reservoir home on July 15, 2013.
Paulino was convicted by a Supreme Court jury following a lengthy trial in which prosecutors argued his hatred for his estranged wife boiled over in the months before she died.
He also stood to seize control of more than a million dollars in assets if his wife disappeared.
Paulino later appealed on the basis the trial judge incorrectly allowed the jury to hear his callous response to news his wife had been found dead.
He also argued the jury should never have been told about death threats he made to Teresa before killing her.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.
He has shown no remorse since his conviction.
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During a pre-sentence hearing, he yelled from the dock as his youngest son, Luke, was about to deliver his victim impact statement.
“You know I didn’t do it, Luke. You know that,” he shouted.
“You know I wasn’t there. I was in the western suburbs.”
Paulino continued his rant despite warnings he would be removed from the court if he continued.
“It’s tragic. It’s horrific what happened to your mother, but I didn’t do it,” Paulino said at the time.