Relatives of slain rugby league player Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava fought back tears as his killer, showing no expression, was sentenced to prison over a confrontation that lasted just 30 seconds.
Jacob Tammer-Spence, 33, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for fatally stabbing Mr Filihiahekava outside a fast-food restaurant in September 2024.
The drill rapper, who performs as Snoee Badman, said he feared for his life when Mr Filihiahekava approached him near a Guzman y Gomez outlet in Sydney’s inner west.
Tammer-Spence had previously told the NSW Supreme Court that Mr Filihiahekava accused him of involvement in a barbershop shooting a year earlier and then threatened him.
‘Don’t play dumb or I’ll f***ing pop you right now,’ Tammer-Spence said the 32-year-old told him.
In sentencing Tammer-Spence on Friday, Justice Richard Cavanagh said the rapper interpreted the remark as a threat that Mr Filihiahekava would shoot him, despite not seeing a gun.
Police found no firearm at the scene, and Tammer-Spence accepted that Mr Filihiahekava had not been armed with one.
Tammer-Spence accepted full responsibility for the younger man’s death and acknowledged that he used excessive force when he swung his knife.
Jacob Tammer-Spence (pictured) pleaded guilty to manslaughter after fatally stabbing Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava outside a fast-food restaurant in September 2024.
Only 30 seconds passed from the beginning of the verbal dispute to its sudden and fatal end.
Justice Cavanagh said the tragic outcome emphasised the danger of knives being carried by members of the public, which brings an elevated risk of violence and death.
‘It is almost inexplicable the offender chose to take a knife with him just to get some takeaway from down the road,’ he told the court.
He found the decision had been made due to the fear and hypervigilance Tammer-Spence held at the time due to his post-traumatic stress disorder.
The 33-year-old had endured prolonged exposure to violence and developed a dependence on illicit drugs that precipitated a diagnosis for substance use disorder, the court was told.
His criminal history includes convictions for armed robbery carried out in public bathrooms immediately after engaging in consensual sexual activity with his victims, the judge said.
While in custody 10 years ago, the court was told Tammer-Spence scalded his cellmate with boiling hot water, leaving him with burns to 15 per cent of his body.
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Justice Cavanagh took into account his criminal history but found his moral culpability was reduced by his deprived background and mental health.
The family of Sitaleki ‘Leki’ Filihiahekava (pictured centre) became emotional as the decision was handed down, wiping away tears as his killer was ushered out of the courtroom
Mr Filihiahekava’s family delivered a powerful family statement about the loss of their much-loved brother, son and grandchild
He accepted Tammer-Spence had demonstrated his remorse directly to the victim’s family ‘albeit he seems to have come late to that idea’ given his criminal history.
The drill rapper previously told the court he regretted ruining so many lives.
‘I feel horrible, I don’t wish death on anyone,’ he said in August.
‘I sometimes feel like it would have been easier if I died that night.’
He maintained a blank expression and looked straight ahead as Justice Cavanagh sentenced him to a maximum of eight years and three months behind bars.
With time served, he will be eligible for parole in April 2030.
Members of Mr Filihiahekava’s family became emotional as the decision was handed down, wiping away tears as his killer was ushered out of the courtroom.
They previously delivered a powerful family statement about the loss of their much-loved brother, son and grandchild.
‘No grandparent should have to bury a grandchild … (they’re) left carrying unimaginable grief,’ the family statement read.
‘This senseless killing has impacted every part of our lives … there are days where simply getting out of bed feels overwhelming.’
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