On Boxing Day in 2022, Emma Lovell, 41, was slain in North Lakes, Queensland, while chasing after two intruders.
The adolescent assailant who admitted to killing her was sentenced to 14 years in prison in May of this year.
Despite not stabbing anyone, the second teen—who cannot be identified for legal reasons—was charged.
Justice Copley found the second teen not guilty of murder and the lesser crime of Ms. Lovell’s manslaughter, as well as not guilty of malicious conduct with intent in respect to her husband Lee, who survived the three-day judge-only trial at Brisbane’s Supreme Court.
He was convicted of assault and burglary.
A single knife wound to the heart claimed the life of Ms. Lovell, a mother of two who had immigrated to Australia from Ipswich in 2011.
The second teen’s case focused on whether or not he knew his co-defendant had a knife when the break-in occurred.
The pair was seen approaching the Lovell family house on CCTV footage that was allegedly given before Justice Copley. According to News, the second adolescent is thought to have whirled around to face his co-defendant, who was brandishing the weapon.
