Family of murdered Karen Chetcuti to sue Victorian Government

The family of murdered mother Karen Chetcuti, who was slain by a rapist freed on parole, is suing the Victorian government for her wrongful death.

The family of murdered mother Karen Chetcuti, who was slain by a rapist freed on parole, is suing the Victorian government for her wrongful death.

The family of murdered mother Karen Chetcuti, who was slain by a rapist freed on parole, is suing the Victorian government for her wrongful death.

Ms Chetcuti’s former husband, Tony Chetcuti, has lodged a writ in the Supreme Court against the State of Victoria, claiming there was a failure to properly surveil the killer after his release from prison for the violent rape of a girl, 15, in 2005.

It is understood Ms Chetcuti’s two children will make their own claims.

CARDAMONE JAILED FOR LIFE FOR BRUTAL KILLING

MORE LAW AND ORDER

Michael Cardamone, 52, is serving a jail term of life without parole for the horrific January 2016 murder of his 49-year-old neighbour at Whorouly, near Wangaratta.

He bound her, injected her with drugs and battery acid, savagely beat her to the head and body, and burned her alive in what is considered to be one of the most brutal ­torture killings in the state’s history.

The council worker’s body was then run over with a four-wheel drive and dumped in bushland 35km from Myrtleford.

Wangaratta lawyer John Suta, representing the family, said the state did not adequately monitor Cardamone, who had been out of jail on parole for six months.

“He was left to his own devices and not monitored,” Mr Suta said.

Murdered mother of two Karen Chetcuti.

According to a Supreme Court writ obtained by the Herald Sun, Mr Chetcuti is claiming damages for the wrongful death.

Cardamone was jailed for nine years with a non-parole term of six years for the rape.

He was first paroled in 2012 but breached it and was locked up again six months later.

Ten months later, he was freed again but 11 months on, another breach saw him locked up.

It is understood one of the breaches involved his failing a drug test, which led police to find child pornography on his mobile phone.

After another five months behind bars, Cardamone was paroled a third time to live at his elderly mother’s property in Whorouly, which neighboured Ms Chetcuti’s home.

After six months’ freedom, he killed Ms Chetcuti.

In denying Cardamone any hope of release, Justice Lex Lasry said his prospects of rehabilitation were “virtually non-existent”.

Michael Cardamone is serving a jail term of life without parole for the horrific January 2016 murder

“What you did to Karen Chetcuti, over a number of hours, for no apparent reason, does amaze me,” Justice Lasry said at the August 2017 sentencing.

“Ms Chetcuti must have gone through an extended period of suffering before her death,” the Supreme Court judge said.

Ms Chetcuti’s family have previously spoken out about the failures of the parole board, telling the Herald Sun they had been let down by Victoria’s justice system.

Ms Chetcuti’s sister, Leny Verbunt, said Cardamone should never have been ­released. “Victoria’s justice system has failed Karen — it has failed all of us,” she said.

According to court documents, Mr Chetcuti is seeking a judge-only trial in Wangaratta.

A government spokesman said that as the case was before court it would be inappropriate to comment.

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