Brazilian Lucio Stein Rodrigues, 34, was killed after he was hit in the early hours of 3 November 2013 outside Scruffy Murphy’s Hotel in Sydney’s CBD. One punch by Nicholas Lambaditis, 35, was enough to cause a fall backwards, with the victim’s head smashing into the pavement.
Rodrigues underwent emergency surgery in St Vincent’s Hospital, but his life support was turned off just over two days after the fatal blow. Lambaditis was charged with murder and his trial took place at the NSW Supreme Court.
The defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the one punch death, which was accepted by the crown.
According to Lambaditis, an unknown male had provoked him on the bustling footpath before he took a swing at Rodrigues. CCTV footage in fact showed Lambaditis striking Eric Howard with both his palms open, which led to him falling back.
Rodrigues, in an attempt to intervene and help his friend, almost received another punch by Lambaditis who then took another go, swinging at him with a closed fist.
Luana Torres, the lawyer representing Rodrigues’ family, expressed their disappointment over the outcome, hoping his sentencing in June will help the family bring closure to the story.
“Each case has to be decided on the available evidence and that is very much what happened here today,” Ms Torres told the press outside the court.
“Essentially it means the person who took their loved one away from them will not face a murder charge.”
She stressed the deceased was very much loved by his community and his family, who are immensely saddened by the news.
“A few seconds changed the course of many people’s lives,” she continued.
“It is our hope and prayer that his death was not in vain and that situations like this will be prevented in future.”