Tao Va sentenced to eight years for manslaughter of Quinton Alexander

Norrie Ross From: Herald Sun July 14, 2010 11:20AM

A MAN was stabbed to death by a friend after a day of drinking, cannabis smoking and stupid pranks turned to tragedy, a Supreme Court judge said today.

Justice David Beach said Tao Va became angry after his friends shaved his head while he was sleeping and engaged in an escalating series of violent incidents that ended with him stabbing Quinton Alexander.

Sentencing Va, 29, to eight years for the manslaughter of Mr Alexander, 25, the judge said that on the day of the killing a group of friends gathered at the victim's Footscray home and shared alcohol and cannabis.

Va, Mr Alexander and another friend, Joseph Wilson started to play fight and rugby tackle and punch each other in a pain threshold test.

At some stage Va attempted a karate kick which ended with him crashing to a concrete path in the backyard.

Justice Beach said Va went to have a sleep and Mr Alexander dared Mr Wilson to shave his head, which he did.

When he awoke Va was angry, claimed he had been disrespected, kicked down a door, threatened to kill Mr Alexander and found a sword before walking out.

Justice Beach said Va went to the flat of his former defacto, Newhara Walton,and Mr Alexander followed him.

Va accused Ms Walton of having a relationship with the victim and grabbed a television, dropped it and then stabbed it and a DVD player with the sword.

Justice Beach said Va grabbed hold of three kitchen knives and went outside and Mr Alexander followed him to "sort things out''.

Another altercation started between the pair during which Va stabbed Mr Alexander three times in the chest before returning to the flat and tell Ms Walton "I think I've killed him'' .

Justice Beach said victim impact statements from demonstrated the great loss suffered by the family.

"Nothing I say, and no sentence I impose, can or will assuage their feelings of grief, anger and loss at what occurred,'' Justice Beach said.

Va pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter and the judge set a maximum term of 11 years.

From: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/tao-va-sentenced-to-eight-years-for-manslaughter-of-quinton-alexander/story-e6frf7kx-1225891544324