Todd Devaney gunned down his ex in a Sydney gym. He's still ‘fixated' with her
He was refused parole in 2017 and 2019 due to his 'unacceptable risk to the community' and has been under community corrections supervision since his release in October 2020.
In granting the state another extended supervision order (ESO) in the NSW Supreme Court last week, Justice Stephen Campbell said Devaney's 'ongoing fixation' with Graham was a matter of 'legitimate concern'.
'There is no doubt that while Mr Devaney was in custody … he at times, and probably as a manifestation of his disease, expressed ideas seeming to blame the victim for his offending,' Campbell said.
'At other times, he acknowledged his own responsibility, as he should have.'
The judge noted Devaney was asked in recent cross-examination about his expressed desire to meet Graham for 'restorative justice'. He was also asked about two photos he kept of Graham on his phone.
Restorative justice is a process that involves bringing together those affected by a crime to discuss the harm done and what needs to be done to resolve it. However, the court documents did not detail what Devaney meant or his understanding of the process.
Campbell noted Devaney made these statements in 2021 and 2022 and had since denied interest in meeting Graham, but the 'probably slight' risk to Graham depended on compliance with his mental health treatment.
Devaney was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in jail, an illness which a psychiatrist traced back to his self-described 'paranormal, religious experience' while visiting the Egyptian pyramids in 2006.
According to Campbell's decision, Devaney told prison authorities he faked his psychotic symptoms for 'legal reasons' and repeatedly stopped taking his prescribed medication, which caused him to violate prison rules and become hostile and threatening.
'This on-and-off pattern of treatment … continues to be a feature today where he, at times, continues to deny having a mental illness and assiduously attempts to persuade treating doctors and other medical personnel to reduce or eliminate his medication,' Campbell said.
This was 'a matter of real concern' despite the 'very promising' compliance Devaney had shown with parole and supervision since his release.
Noting a psychologist's opinion that Devaney's moderate to high risk of violence would rise without treatment, Campbell said 'future compliance with treatment is an ongoing significant issue'.
Campbell was also concerned about 'ongoing evidence' of Devaney's 'continuing connection' with outlaw motorcycle gangs, as cross-examination evidence showed two photos of him with Nomads bikie members.
But Campbell said Devaney had told the court the 'long-standing friendship' related to connections from 'a phase in his life through which he has now passed'.
Devaney was subject to electronic ankle monitoring until his parole expired on November 2, 2021, but this condition was not imposed in the subsequent ESO.
However, in the latest ESO hearing, the state applied for a condition permitting it to use electronic monitoring 'for as long as deemed reasonably necessary … if the defendant shows a renewed interest in contacting and/or visiting [Graham]'.
Campbell rejected this application, stating Devaney had 'progressed very well under the previous ESO even without electronic monitoring as a condition'.
The judge said Devaney's interest in contacting or visiting the victim 'seems to have receded since 2022' and 'there is no reasonably contemporaneous evidence suggesting it is still a factor'.
Campbell said Devaney seemed to have since accepted that meeting Graham under 'restorative justice' was not appropriate, had not appeared to breach the previous ESO, and 'has made very significant progress in rehabilitation toward a pro-social life', adding he seemed to recently co-operate with the re-introduction of antipsychotic medication.
Devaney's new ESO conditions include reporting and monitoring obligations, accommodation and travel restrictions, drug and alcohol testing, and non-association rules, along with internet and communication restrictions.
He must undertake psychological or psychiatric assessment or counselling as directed by a departmental supervising officer and immediately notify them if he stops taking or declines to start prescribed medication.
Devaney's 18-month ESO will start when his current order expires on April 26.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
21 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Arrest push on senior Minns, Catley staffers after they fail to attend caravan plot inquiry
Five senior government staffers face possible arrest in a dramatic escalation of a probe examining officials' knowledge about an explosive-laden caravan found on Sydney 's outskirts. The high-ranking staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley failed to appear as summonsed on Friday at an upper house inquiry. Committee chair independent MP Rod Roberts conducted a roll call for the premier's chief of staff, James Cullen, and four other staffers on Friday before the committee set in motion a process to seek arrest warrants. In a letter to the committee announcing their intention not to appear, the staffers say appearing before the inquiry 'would be at odds with the principles of ministerial accountability'. Roberts pressed against that motion on Friday as he addressed empty chairs. 'The committee is not seeking to sanction ministerial staff for their actions, only to shed light on the events in the lead up to the passage of the hate speech and protest laws through parliament,' Roberts said. Protest legislation Controversial protest legislation was rushed through the NSW parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest on January 19. The discovery prompted fears of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty event, as the premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately dubbed it. It later emerged to be a hoax, with senior NSW police telling Roberts' inquiry they believed virtually from the outset it was a ruse. The premier on Thursday attacked the upper house for 'on a routine basis' trying to get government staff to appear at inquiries 'almost like they're criminals and under investigation, or they should front some kind of Star Chamber inquiry'. 'And if not, they're under threat of arrest,' he said. As members of the lower house, Minns and Catley cannot be compelled to appear at the upper house inquiry to give evidence. Staffers, however, can be forced to appear. The committee believes they were present during police briefings to the ministers. Another staffer named in the motion, Minns' deputy chief of staff, Edward Ovadia, said in the letter he should be excused from attending the committee as he was on leave at the time and did not attend any meetings. The committee will ask the upper house president, independent Ben Franklin, to go to the NSW Supreme Court and seek warrants for their arrest. The premier and police minister say they have commented extensively on the matter, including parliamentary hearings, press conferences and question time.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Staffers face arrest after caravan plot inquiry no-show
Five senior government staffers face possible arrest in a dramatic escalation of a probe examining officials' knowledge about an explosive-laden caravan found on Sydney's outskirts. The high-ranking staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley failed to appear as summonsed on Friday at an upper house inquiry. Committee chair independent MP Rod Roberts conducted a roll call for the premier's chief of staff James Cullen and four other staffers on Friday before the committee set in motion a process to seek arrest warrants. In a letter to the committee announcing their intention not to appear, the staffers say appearing before the inquiry "would be at odds with the principles of ministerial accountability". Mr Roberts pressed against that motion on Friday as he addressed empty chairs. "The committee is not seeking to sanction ministerial staff for their actions, only to shed light on the events in the lead up to the passage of the hate speech and protest laws through parliament," Mr Roberts said. Controversial protest legislation was rushed through the NSW parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest on January 19. The discovery prompted fears of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty event, as the premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately dubbed it. It later emerged to be a hoax, with senior NSW police telling Mr Roberts' inquiry they believed virtually from the outset it was a ruse. The premier on Thursday attacked the upper house for "on a routine basis" trying to get government staff to appear at inquiries "almost like they're criminals and under investigation, or they should front some kind of Star Chamber inquiry". "And if not, they're under threat of arrest," he said. As members of the lower house, Mr Minns and Ms Catley cannot be compelled to appear at the upper house inquiry to give evidence. Staffers, however, can be forced to appear. The committee believes they were present during police briefings to the ministers. Another staffer named in the motion, Mr Minns' deputy chief of staff Edward Ovadia, said in the letter he should be excused from attending the committee as he was on leave at the time and did not attend any meetings. The committee will ask the upper house president, independent Ben Franklin, to go to the NSW Supreme Court and seek warrants for their arrest. The premier and police minister say they have commented extensively on the matter, including parliamentary hearings, press conferences and question time. Five senior government staffers face possible arrest in a dramatic escalation of a probe examining officials' knowledge about an explosive-laden caravan found on Sydney's outskirts. The high-ranking staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley failed to appear as summonsed on Friday at an upper house inquiry. Committee chair independent MP Rod Roberts conducted a roll call for the premier's chief of staff James Cullen and four other staffers on Friday before the committee set in motion a process to seek arrest warrants. In a letter to the committee announcing their intention not to appear, the staffers say appearing before the inquiry "would be at odds with the principles of ministerial accountability". Mr Roberts pressed against that motion on Friday as he addressed empty chairs. "The committee is not seeking to sanction ministerial staff for their actions, only to shed light on the events in the lead up to the passage of the hate speech and protest laws through parliament," Mr Roberts said. Controversial protest legislation was rushed through the NSW parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest on January 19. The discovery prompted fears of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty event, as the premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately dubbed it. It later emerged to be a hoax, with senior NSW police telling Mr Roberts' inquiry they believed virtually from the outset it was a ruse. The premier on Thursday attacked the upper house for "on a routine basis" trying to get government staff to appear at inquiries "almost like they're criminals and under investigation, or they should front some kind of Star Chamber inquiry". "And if not, they're under threat of arrest," he said. As members of the lower house, Mr Minns and Ms Catley cannot be compelled to appear at the upper house inquiry to give evidence. Staffers, however, can be forced to appear. The committee believes they were present during police briefings to the ministers. Another staffer named in the motion, Mr Minns' deputy chief of staff Edward Ovadia, said in the letter he should be excused from attending the committee as he was on leave at the time and did not attend any meetings. The committee will ask the upper house president, independent Ben Franklin, to go to the NSW Supreme Court and seek warrants for their arrest. The premier and police minister say they have commented extensively on the matter, including parliamentary hearings, press conferences and question time. Five senior government staffers face possible arrest in a dramatic escalation of a probe examining officials' knowledge about an explosive-laden caravan found on Sydney's outskirts. The high-ranking staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley failed to appear as summonsed on Friday at an upper house inquiry. Committee chair independent MP Rod Roberts conducted a roll call for the premier's chief of staff James Cullen and four other staffers on Friday before the committee set in motion a process to seek arrest warrants. In a letter to the committee announcing their intention not to appear, the staffers say appearing before the inquiry "would be at odds with the principles of ministerial accountability". Mr Roberts pressed against that motion on Friday as he addressed empty chairs. "The committee is not seeking to sanction ministerial staff for their actions, only to shed light on the events in the lead up to the passage of the hate speech and protest laws through parliament," Mr Roberts said. Controversial protest legislation was rushed through the NSW parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest on January 19. The discovery prompted fears of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty event, as the premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately dubbed it. It later emerged to be a hoax, with senior NSW police telling Mr Roberts' inquiry they believed virtually from the outset it was a ruse. The premier on Thursday attacked the upper house for "on a routine basis" trying to get government staff to appear at inquiries "almost like they're criminals and under investigation, or they should front some kind of Star Chamber inquiry". "And if not, they're under threat of arrest," he said. As members of the lower house, Mr Minns and Ms Catley cannot be compelled to appear at the upper house inquiry to give evidence. Staffers, however, can be forced to appear. The committee believes they were present during police briefings to the ministers. Another staffer named in the motion, Mr Minns' deputy chief of staff Edward Ovadia, said in the letter he should be excused from attending the committee as he was on leave at the time and did not attend any meetings. The committee will ask the upper house president, independent Ben Franklin, to go to the NSW Supreme Court and seek warrants for their arrest. The premier and police minister say they have commented extensively on the matter, including parliamentary hearings, press conferences and question time. Five senior government staffers face possible arrest in a dramatic escalation of a probe examining officials' knowledge about an explosive-laden caravan found on Sydney's outskirts. The high-ranking staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley failed to appear as summonsed on Friday at an upper house inquiry. Committee chair independent MP Rod Roberts conducted a roll call for the premier's chief of staff James Cullen and four other staffers on Friday before the committee set in motion a process to seek arrest warrants. In a letter to the committee announcing their intention not to appear, the staffers say appearing before the inquiry "would be at odds with the principles of ministerial accountability". Mr Roberts pressed against that motion on Friday as he addressed empty chairs. "The committee is not seeking to sanction ministerial staff for their actions, only to shed light on the events in the lead up to the passage of the hate speech and protest laws through parliament," Mr Roberts said. Controversial protest legislation was rushed through the NSW parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest on January 19. The discovery prompted fears of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty event, as the premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately dubbed it. It later emerged to be a hoax, with senior NSW police telling Mr Roberts' inquiry they believed virtually from the outset it was a ruse. The premier on Thursday attacked the upper house for "on a routine basis" trying to get government staff to appear at inquiries "almost like they're criminals and under investigation, or they should front some kind of Star Chamber inquiry". "And if not, they're under threat of arrest," he said. As members of the lower house, Mr Minns and Ms Catley cannot be compelled to appear at the upper house inquiry to give evidence. Staffers, however, can be forced to appear. The committee believes they were present during police briefings to the ministers. Another staffer named in the motion, Mr Minns' deputy chief of staff Edward Ovadia, said in the letter he should be excused from attending the committee as he was on leave at the time and did not attend any meetings. The committee will ask the upper house president, independent Ben Franklin, to go to the NSW Supreme Court and seek warrants for their arrest. The premier and police minister say they have commented extensively on the matter, including parliamentary hearings, press conferences and question time.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Staffers face arrest after caravan plot inquiry no-show
Five senior government staffers face possible arrest in a dramatic escalation of a probe examining officials' knowledge about an explosive-laden caravan found on Sydney's outskirts. The high-ranking staff in the offices of NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley failed to appear as summonsed on Friday at an upper house inquiry. Committee chair independent MP Rod Roberts conducted a roll call for the premier's chief of staff James Cullen and four other staffers on Friday before the committee set in motion a process to seek arrest warrants. In a letter to the committee announcing their intention not to appear, the staffers say appearing before the inquiry "would be at odds with the principles of ministerial accountability". Mr Roberts pressed against that motion on Friday as he addressed empty chairs. "The committee is not seeking to sanction ministerial staff for their actions, only to shed light on the events in the lead up to the passage of the hate speech and protest laws through parliament," Mr Roberts said. Controversial protest legislation was rushed through the NSW parliament in February after explosives, anti-Semitic messaging and a list of addresses of Jewish people and institutions were found inside the caravan at Dural in Sydney's northwest on January 19. The discovery prompted fears of a terrorist attack or mass-casualty event, as the premier and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately dubbed it. It later emerged to be a hoax, with senior NSW police telling Mr Roberts' inquiry they believed virtually from the outset it was a ruse. The premier on Thursday attacked the upper house for "on a routine basis" trying to get government staff to appear at inquiries "almost like they're criminals and under investigation, or they should front some kind of Star Chamber inquiry". "And if not, they're under threat of arrest," he said. As members of the lower house, Mr Minns and Ms Catley cannot be compelled to appear at the upper house inquiry to give evidence. Staffers, however, can be forced to appear. The committee believes they were present during police briefings to the ministers. Another staffer named in the motion, Mr Minns' deputy chief of staff Edward Ovadia, said in the letter he should be excused from attending the committee as he was on leave at the time and did not attend any meetings. The committee will ask the upper house president, independent Ben Franklin, to go to the NSW Supreme Court and seek warrants for their arrest. The premier and police minister say they have commented extensively on the matter, including parliamentary hearings, press conferences and question time.
