Friends jailed for Sydney stabbing murder

GEORGE Garmo was walking with his partner when he went past a house two friends he had animosity with. It would prove to be fatal.

Wade Martinez is escorted from a prison services vehicle into the Supreme Court in July. Picture: David Moir

TWO mates have been jailed for at least 16 years for the Valentine’s Day stabbing murder of a man who was chased through backyards in western Sydney.

Wade Martinez, 24, and Jake Tortell, 21, were found guilty in April of the 2015 murder of George Garmo, 20, who was found dead in the driveway of a home in Bossley Park.

Jake Tortell is escorted into the Supreme Court. Picture: John Grainger

In the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, Acting Justice Jane Mathews found there had been animosity between Martinez and the victim, but that Tortell was the stabber.

On the evening of his death, Mr Garmo and his partner had just happened to walk past the house of people the two friends had been visiting.

George Garmo was fatally stabbed at Bossley Park.

Martinez, who also was found guilty of reckless wounding in company, came out to the street and used a knife to cut some fingers of Mr Garmo who then ran off, bleeding extensively.

The judge said the evidence revealed a history of antagonism between the pair, which was attributed to the actions of Mr Garmo not Martinez.

“There had been drive-by shootings aimed at Mr Martnez’s family home,” the judge said.

“On all accounts, at least two were committed by Mr Garmo.”

Wade Martinez and Jake Tortell. Picture: Facebook

After he was cut on the hand, Mr Garmo was picked up nearby by friends, but soon after the car was blocked by one containing the two friends.

Mr Garmo got out and ran, leaving a trail of blood in backyards, before his body was later found on a footpath with fatal stab wounds.

Both men received a maximum term of 22 years.

George Garmo. Picture Supplied