Edgar Campos: Man allegedly kills neighbour over tree dispute

A man accused of killing his neighbour over a fallen tree branch allegedly said he would put him “to sleep” before the deadly confrontation.

A man accused of murdering his neighbour during a dispute over a fallen tree branch allegedly muttered “call the cops, I’m gonna put him to sleep”, a court has been told.

Edgar Campos, 42, is charged with the murder of Michael Wickham, 60, at his home in Mount Pritchard, in Sydney’s west, on December 28, 2024.

CCTV cameras allegedly captured the physical confrontation between the two men.

Police allege Mr Wickham visited Mr Campos’s home several times in December and appeared “aggressive” on the day of the alleged murder as he banged on the door of the home.

Edgar Campos is accused of murdering his neighbour Michael Wickham in a dispute over a fallen tree.

Mr Wickham allegedly visited the accused’s home many times leading up to the altercation.

It’s understood the pair had an ongoing dispute over a tree on Mr Campos’s property that kept dropping branches into Mr Wickham’s home, where he lived with his elderly father.

On the day of his death, Mr Wickham came to Mr Campos’s driveway and an altercation between the two men ensued, the court was told.

Triple-0 was called and paramedics arrived on the scene, but Mr Wickham could not be revived and Mr Campos was taken into custody and charged with murder.

The day prior, police allege, Mr Wickham attended Mr Campos’s home and banged on the door calling for him, the court was told.

“I’m told the applicant wasn’t there, but his wife (was)” Justice Sarah McNaughton said.

“The deceased was banging on the doors and walls and calling out to the occupants at which point she became fearful and called the cops.”

Mr Campos allegedly placed Mr Wickham in a chokehold for nine minutes. Picture: Supplied

Mr Campos’s father Joao (in wheelchair) leaves the Supreme Court with son Artur. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Mr Wickham left the premises however returned the next day and confronted Mr Campos, the court was told.

During the confrontation, Mr Campos asked Mr Wickham to get off his property before things became heated.

Police allege both men threw punches, and at one point Mr Wickham attempted to gouge out one of Mr Campos’s eyes before Mr Wickham was placed in a chokehold for nine minutes.

An exact cause of death has not yet been determined, the court was told.

Justice McNaughton said the case was “clearly tragic from all perspectives”.

“I’m of the view that there are risks … but these risks can be appropriately mediated,” she said of her bail decision.

As part of Mr Campos’s bail conditions, he must surrender his passport, report to police daily, reside at an elected address in Western Sydney, not communicate with any of the witnesses involved in the case or go within 500m of the Mount Pritchard home.

A $500,000 surety has also been put in place.

Mr Campos is expected to next appear before Parramatta Local Court on April 17, 2025.