'Justice finally done' in Heidi murder09 June 2009, 23:12:08 - (327 hits) That was the reaction from Dubbo father Gary Murphy yesterday when the jail sentence for his daughter's killer was increased from 15 to 20 years.
Heidi Murphy, 34, was stabbed multiple times during a frenzied attack at her Bali villas in February this year.
Her killer, Ahmad Fahrul Rosi, 23, escaped the death penalty when prosecutors dropped the charge of premeditated murder.
He escaped life imprisonment after apologising for his actions in Denpasar District Court and was sentenced to 15 years on the secondary charge of robbery with violence, resulting in death.
Prosecutors lodged an appeal to the Bali High Court seeking a more substantial jail term.
"The 20-year jail term handed down yesterday seems more appropriate," Mr Murphy said. "No decision has yet been made as to whether the prosecution will make a further appeal for the sentence to be increased to life. I don’t know if the defence is able to appeal again."
Mr Murphy said his daughter deserved recognition.
"It's so sad that Heidi is no longer with her family and friends," he said.
"The sense of loss we all feel is enormous.
There's no reason or explanation as to why things happen. After all that has occurred this year I have become a fatalist."
Ms Murphy was born at Dubbo Base Hospital and attended Dubbo South Primary School before relocating to Sydney.
She frequently returned to Dubbo to visit her father and members of a large extended family including numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Ms Murphy headed overseas at age 20 and visited 36 countries in 14 years.
She lived in Bali on and off for 10 years and established a successful design and textile business.
"Losing someone you love in a violent murder is very hard to comprehend," Mr Murphy. News from yourguide.com.au
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