Mackenzie Anderson: Killer’s sentence to be appealed as family seeks justice over brutal stabbing attack

Prosecutors are set to appeal the sentence of a man who murdered his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend while on parole, believing the killer deserves longer jail time.

Tyrone Thompson, who stabbed Mackenzie Anderson 78 times while on parole, was jailed for a maximum 22 years and six months earlier this month.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: DV murder sentence appeal.

The 25-year-old was ordered to serve a non-parole period of 15 years and six months.

The decision outraged Anderson’s mother who called for an immediate appeal of the sentence.

“Whilst this might be thought of as a good outcome for the courts, we are disgusted that this sentence is what they think the value of my daughter’s life was worth,” Tabitha Acret said outside the Newcastle Supreme Court.

“Justice Weinstein’s sentence was an insult to women globally and I call for an urgent appeal of this sentence.”

On Thursday a spokesperson from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed it was set to appeal Thompson’s sentence.

“Yesterday the ODPP directed that it would appeal the sentence imposed on Tyrone Thompson,” they said.

“The ODPP anticipates filing the appeal this morning.”

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Acret said she was pleased with the DPP’s decision.

“This is the first hurdle to getting a sentence that is more in line with community and moral standards,” she said.

“I hope this case highlights the many problems with the judicial system and creates more discussion and change for domestic violence.”

In sentencing Thompson, Weinstein said the brutal murder of the mother-of-one was a frenzied attack of such ferocity that one of the two knives he used snapped.

Weinstein said the Crown submitted that the seriousness of the crime was aggravated by previous domestic violence in the relationship, Anderson’s fear of Thompson and her attempts to end the relationship, which he refused to accept.

The judge also said Thompson’s significant mental health issues, the domestic violence he suffered as a child at the hands of his violent, schizophrenic, drug-addled father, his difficult schooling and exposure to drugs had diminished his moral culpability.

Weinstein found Thompson had intended to kill Anderson when he first started stabbing her.

In a letter of remorse to the judge, Thompson — who was diagnosed with a complex post-traumatic stress disorder and severe personality disorder but was not considered psychotic — claimed the pair had struggled with a knife and when his hand was cut “something inside me lost control”.

Thompson and Anderson had been involved in an on-again, off-again relationship, marred by domestic violence, since late 2019.

He was jailed in October 2021 for assaulting Anderson, intimidating her and destroying her property before being released on parole on March 9, 2022.

Thompson, who ignored an apprehended domestic violence order banning him from contacting Anderson, killed her 16 days later after breaking into her apartment in the Newcastle suburb of Mayfield.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000.

Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.

— With AAP