Emma Lovell death: Second teen faces court charged with North Lakes mother’s home invasion murder

A second teen is facing court charged with the murder of Queensland mother Emma Lovell during a home invasion on Boxing Day, 2022, but there won’t be a jury at the trial.

Emma Lovell was stabbed to death during a home invasion in North Lakes. The teen who stabbed her has already been sentenced. Source: Facebook.

The Supreme Court trial of a second juvenile charged with the murder of mother-of-two Emma Lovell in a case that shocked the state, will begin in Brisbane on Monday.

Mrs Lovell, 41, was stabbed in the heart by the first offender, who has already been dealt with, in front of her husband during a night-time burglary of their North Lakes home on Boxing Day in 2022.

The juvenile on trial this week also stabbed Mr Lovell in the back and kicked him in the face.

The boy on trial is charged with murder as an alleged accomplice in the fatal home invasion. He entered the Lovell family home but did not wield the knife.

Emma Lovell, pictured with husband Lee Lovell.

He is contesting the charge on the basis that he did not know his co-accused had a knife.

In a pre-trial hearing earlier this month, crown prosecutor David Nardone said CCTV footage would be a critical piece of evidence in the upcoming trial

In it, Mr Nardone said the boy on trial opens the door of the Lovell’s home first and peers into the house with his co-accused behind him.

This week’s trial – which coincides with the final week of the state election campaign, in which youth crime has been one of the main issues – is set to run for five days.

The trial was due to start at 10am on Monday, but was adjourned until 10.45am to allow the defendant’s barrister Laura Reece to go through some final details with the youth.

Lee Lovell arrives at the Brisbane Supreme Court for the trial of a second teenager charged with the murder of his wife Emma on Boxing Day 2022. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

There will be no jury, with the trial overseen by Justice Michael Copley. The judge-only application by the youth’s legal team was granted over concerns that the election campaign and youth crime debate would likely prejudice a jury.

The first offender, who was 17 at the time but is now 19, previously pleaded guilty to murdering Mrs Lovell and stabbing Mr Lovell in the back.

He was sentenced in May to 14 years’ jail, with a non-parole period of almost 10 years.

Originally published as Emma Lovell death: Second teen faces court charged with North Lakes mother’s home invasion murder