John Mayatjun guilty of murdering Kumanjaya Dhamarrandji in Coconut Grove killing

The jury in a murder trial so horrific one of them asked to be excused has returned a guilty verdict in the brutal domestic violence killing.

The jury in a murder trial so horrific one of them asked to be excused has found a known domestic violence abuser guilty of beating his partner to death.

John Mayatjun, 52, was found by the jury to have murdered Kumanjaya Dhamarrandji in the laundry of a Coconut Grove unit some time between the evening of August 26, 2021, and 8pm on August 27 when her body was discovered by her niece.

The jury heard the 49-year-old’s injuries were comparable to those “seen in pedestrians who have been hit by a car”, and her relationship with Mayatjun had been marred by his violence towards her for more than two decades.

John Mayatjun has been found guilty of murder after a three week Supreme Court trial. Picture: Thomas Morgan

Ms Dhamarrandji and Mayatjun had been seen arguing not long before she was last seen alive, and the court heard Mayatjun told someone “she‘s dead” before the crime had been reported.

In closing submissions on Friday, defence lawyer Jack Pappas had argued the Crown’s case was “circumstantial”, “overreaching”, suggesting there was an “unidentified killer” responsible for the murder.

“Very, very early on in the investigation Mr Mayatjun was in the frame, and he was the only one in the frame – that perhaps reflects human nature, perhaps reflects sloppy police practice,” he said.

Ms Dhamarrandji’s body was discovered by her niece at her Coconut Grove home. Picture: Thomas Morgan

Mr Pappas raised several pieces of evidence he said pointed to his client’s innocence, including testimony from a neighbour who was walking his dog Charlie behind the unit about 2pm on August 27.

The court heard Charlie became uncharacteristically aggressive as they passed the closed back gate of unit 65, growling, barking and dragging his owner toward the property.

The neighbour told the jury he had heard a frightening, husky, male voice say in English “I’m going to kill you”, but saw nothing when he looked over the fence.

Walking past again later that day, the neighbour said the back gate was partially open.

“Can you seriously doubt that what (the neighbour) and Charlie stumbled upon was murder,” Mr Pappas said.

“There’s lots of people who may well have known how to get into that backyard.”

The jury were unswayed, with a unanimous guilty verdict returned after less than three hours deliberation following the three week trial.

Mayatjun will return to court next month for submissions on sentencing.