Simon Gittany guilty of murdering fiancee Lisa Harnum
Simon Gittany guilty of murdering fiancee Lisa Harnum
Sydney businessman Simon Gittany has been found guilty of murdering his fiancee, former ballerina Lisa Harnum, by throwing her off the balcony of their upmarket inner-city apartment.
More than two years after Ms Harnum, 30, plunged to her death from the 15th floor of The Hyde luxury apartments on the morning of July 30, 2011, NSW Supreme Court judge Justice Lucy McCallum has rejected Gittany's claims of innocence, finding that he killed the woman in a "fit of rage".
His account of what happened appeared to exist on borrowed detail. It lacked originality and the subtlety of actual experience
"I'm confident to the point of actual persuasion that he maintained his rage, carried her over to the balcony and then dropped her over," Justice McCallum said.
Gittany's girlfriend Rachelle Louise screamed as the court was told the verdict.
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"You're wrong!" she shouted.
"What are you going to do? Put my hand over my mouth?" she screamed as Corrective Services officers tried to escort her out of the court room.
Gittany barely moved as Justice McCallum said she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he had murdered Ms Harnum.
Ms Louise's screams could be heard for several minutes outside the court.
She then went up to a waiting media pack and asked if anyone had a lighter.
She lit a cigarette and smoked in silence for about three minutes as journalists continued to ask her how she felt.
Back inside the court, Ms Harnum's aunt, Elizabeth, put her hands over her face and cried.
Ms Harnum's brother Jason shook the hands of the detectives who had been working on the case for the past two-and-a-half years.
Mr Gittany's sister Barbara blew a kiss to her brother and said: "God bless you Simon".
Another Gittany family member yelled out: "You didn't get a fair trial, brother."
Meanwhile, there was a plea for an ambulance to come to the court. "Call an ambulance for mum, she is in so much shock," one of the Gittany clan screamed.
Lisa Cecilia Harnum.
Died: Lisa Harnum. Photo: Supplied
When Ms Louise returned to the court, Gittany was taken down to the cells.
"I love you Simon," she said, crying.
"It's OK baby," Gittany replied before disappearing from view.
Speaking outside court, Ms Harnum's mother Joan told reporters: "There are no winners in this case. Two families have had their lives dramatically changed forever."
She added: "We will always mourn the loss of our beautiful Lisa Cecilia and are working towards making her legacy a powerful wake-up call to young women.
"My daughter used to say people can ask for help but children and animals cannot.
"And now young women who are caught up in situations like my daughter found herself in need a voice as well."
Joan Harnum said her daughter's favourite saying was "families are forever".
"Please go home and hug your kids and hug your wife and husband and make it families forever for everyone," she said.
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