0
0
A Queensland family were looking forward to lunch together when they heard their mother cry out and found her dying on the laundry floor, a court has heard.
The police initially thought Giustina Katerina Lawlor, 53, had died from a blood clot but a later scan found a bullet in her abdomen.
Her son, Cristian Dino Charles Lawlor, then aged 22, was charged with her manslaughter.
Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>
Lawlor told police he left a live round in the barrel of a firearm and then placed it in a bag in the garage of the family’s home at Taigum in Brisbane’s northern suburbs on May 7, 2021.
The next day Lawlor’s mother picked up and moved the bag.
Woman charged over fatal stabbing of man at Gold Coast pub
Police, security guard and good Samaritan attacked in Gold Coast pub rampage
The antique and partially disassembled rifle was left in a state where a light bump could, and did, cause it to fire.
The bullet struck several of the woman’s internal organs and she died in her husband’s arms while surrounded by family members.
Lawlor faced the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of conduct with a weapon likely to cause death or injury.
He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition and a telescoping baton, as well as possessing methamphetamine and a drug pipe.
Crown prosecutor Clayton Wallis said Lawlor, now aged 24, had been restoring the family heirloom rifle despite having no real knowledge of guns.
Cristian Dino Charles Lawlor has been sentenced over the death of his mum Giustina in Taigum. Credit: 7NEWS
“One of the poor choices he engaged in was restoring it to operability and another choice was storing it, albeit disassembled, in a bag (where) other people had access,” Wallis said.
Wallis said the final poor choice Lawlor made was leaving a round in the firearm and that formed the basis for the charge of dangerous conduct with a weapon.
Lawlor’s older sister read out her victim impact statement and said the case and resulting publicity had interrupted the family’s ability to grieve for a loss that would be felt for their entire lives.
“I wish for today to be the last day that my brother is seen as a defendant and he is a victim and we can go out and live for our mother’s name,” she said.
Giustina Katerina Lawlor was shot dead at her home in Taigum in Brisbane. Credit: Darren England/AAP
Lawlor’s barrister James Godbolt said the case was genuinely tragic and involved circumstances that were unique in many respects.
“My client’s erroneous belief was that in its (disassembled) state it was incapable of being fired,” he said.
Godbolt said Lawlor would seek treatment for drug and mental health issues if released on parole.
Justice Sue Brown said guns were not toys and Lawlor had engaged in serious offending, but he had also shown significant remorse, and had co-operated with police and the justice system.
“Whatever sentence I impose upon you will fade into insignificance compared to the sentence you have placed on yourself,” Justice Brown said.
Lawlor was sentenced to two-and-a-half-years’ imprisonment but released on parole immediately.
Justice Brown urged Lawlor to look at a picture of his mother if he felt tempted to breach parole and ask himself what she would want.
Man accused of landing fatal blow before fleeing scene on scooter
QLD snake catcher bitten by eastern brown speaks from hospital
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings.
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
