A man who claimed he did not hear his housemate being bludgeoned to death because he was listening to John Farnham's 'You're the Voice' has finally admitted to murder. On Monday, John Sheffield's false statements to police were exposed as he accepted responsibility for killing his friend Kenneth Magee with a hammer.
Details of the Crime
The 56-year-old former diesel mechanic appeared at a pre-sentencing hearing at the Supreme Court of Victoria, where he was confronted by the victim's family. Sheffield had previously claimed he found Magee on the couch with his head smashed open inside their Werribee home, west of Melbourne, on December 2, 2024. Magee, 63, had been acting as Sheffield's unofficial carer.
When questioned by detectives, Sheffield said he had been playing John Farnham songs loudly in his bedroom and heard nothing. He maintained this lie until last month, when he agreed to plead guilty after receiving a sentence indication from Justice Rita Incerti.
Forensic Evidence
The court heard that Magee died from catastrophic head injuries caused by repeated blows with a hammer. A forensic examination revealed multiple skull fractures and brain injuries consistent with at least five impacts. Emergency services were called after Sheffield dialed triple-0, claiming an intruder had attacked his friend. He said, 'Someone just broke in, he hit me mate on the head with a hammer, I don't know who it was, they've left the front door open.' However, police found no signs of forced entry.
Victim Impact Statements
Magee's daughter, Christine Magee, told the court her life 'imploded' after receiving a phone call saying her father would not survive. She described years of panic attacks, depression, extreme weight loss, an eating disorder, and being forced to leave her career as a chef. 'His life was stolen by someone he once called a friend, in the safety of his own home,' she said.
Magee's sister, Alison Menzies, said she learned of her brother's death by seeing his photograph on the evening news. She described severe grief, recurring nightmares, anxiety, financial strain, and the compounded trauma of losing three siblings in four years. 'Ken was given a death sentence. I have been given a life sentence,' she stated.
Defence Arguments
Sheffield's barrister, John Desmond, attempted to shift blame onto Magee, describing him as a violent thug. He claimed Magee had been violent toward Sheffield for a long time, saying, 'Sometimes he beats the hell out of him … punches him in the head, stomach and face.' Desmond argued that Sheffield was a long-term victim of domestic violence and deserved a reduced sentence. However, the prosecution acknowledged the relationship was 'complex' but noted no evidence of a struggle or immediate provocation on the night, maintaining that Sheffield's moral culpability remained high.
Upcoming Sentencing
Justice Incerti will hand down her sentence at a date to be fixed. She had previously indicated she would sentence Sheffield to 22 years in jail if he pleaded guilty.
