Covid partly to blame for Central Coast NSW pot plant murder, judge rules

A man who killed his elderly mother with a pot plant was affected in his decision making at the time by a combination of drug withdrawal and Covid-19, a judge has ruled.

A man who killed his elderly mother by throwing a 15-kilogram pot plant at her head partly did so due to Covid-19, a judge has ruled.

David Andrew Mapp, 59, was sentenced to 21 years in jail for the murder of his 82-year-old mother, Colleen Wilson, in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday.

Ms Wilson was killed after the pair got into an argument, which ended in Mapp throwing a pot plant at her head inside her home at Tumbi Umbi on the NSW Central Coast in July 2022.

In handing down the sentence, NSW Supreme Court Justice Ian Harrison said Mapp was withdrawing from drugs and suffering from Covid-19, which had affected the offender’s decision-making.

Colleen Wilson was killed by her own son. Picture: Supplied

Police placed a mask on Mapp after learning her had Covid-19. Picture: NSW Police

“At the time of the offence, Mr Mapp had severe generalised anxiety disorder, which was aggravated by his state of drug withdrawal and the effects of Covid,” Justice Harrison said.

“That condition substantially impaired his decision-making and capacity to control himself at the time of the offence.”

Mapp spoke to police upon their arrival at the home. Picture: NSW Police

Justice Harrison ruled that Mapp did not intend to kill his mother, but that her death was an “unintended consequence” of a dispute which escalated into “a brief but fatal confrontation”.

“The offence was unplanned, unexpected and a spontaneous reaction to a unique situation,” Justice Harrison said.

“It is clear that Mr Mapp lost his self-control as a result of the build-up of emotional turmoil associated largely with his longstanding anxiety.”

The court heard that the pot plant included soil, a plant, and a part of a brick, which Mapp threw at Ms Wilson in the dining area of the home.

The attack caused a 40 millimetre laceration to the back of Ms Wilson’s head, causing bleeding on the surface of her brain.

Mapp speaks to police at the home as his mum lies dead just metres away. Picture: NSW Police

The court also heard Mapp took at least eight hours to call emergency services after killing his mother.

“Mr Mapp had put a red blanket over his mother,” Justice Harrison said in his decision.

“She had red congealed blood pooled around her head, and there was a pile of soil around her and on her body.

“Paramedics confirmed that Ms Wilson was dead and they did not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation.”

Mapp speaking to police in his mother's home after he killed her with a pot plant. Picture: NSW Police

Mapp being taken into custody after speaking with police. Picture: NSW Police

In body-worn footage, Mapp admitted to throwing the pot plant at his mother.

The courts previously heard how after Ms Wilson’s death, Mapp was seen on CCTV pawning her television and whipper-snipper for $200, which he used to buy heroin.

His lawyer had previously argued Mapp was in heroin withdrawal at the time and did not intend to murder her in a failed attempt to have the charge reduced to manslaughter.

Mapp suffered long-term heroin addiction.

Mapp was sentenced to 21 years in jail, dating back to when he was first taken into custody on July 28 2022.

He was given a non-parole period of 15 years and will be first eligible for parole on 27 July 2037.

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