Suzanne Magowan continues to feel the absence of her son, Paul Davy, who was fatally shot in November 2023. Nearly three years after the incident, she shared in a victim impact statement how simple acts, like setting the table, bring her to tears as she remembers him. Davy, 43, was shot in the chest by Luke Willcockson outside a home in Kendall on the NSW mid-north coast.
Willcockson, 40, was found guilty of murder by a jury in February. During a sentencing hearing, Davy's family expressed the profound grief caused by the loss. His mother recounted how her son was her "friend, my love, my singing and dancing partner, my fishing partner," and admitted it is difficult to speak his name without crying.
Davy's sister, Dona, testified that their mother became frail almost overnight due to the "unspeakable loss." She described her brother as a vibrant individual who shared his passions, teaching her to swim, play guitar, and fish. She characterized him as "one of the funniest people ever to lighten anyone's mood or brighten everyone's day."
Willcockson offered his "deepest and most heartfelt condolences" to Davy's loved ones, stating, "I'm truly sorry for the pain, grief and suffering I have caused." He maintained that he never intended for Davy to be seriously hurt or lose his life. However, the prosecution questioned his acceptance of full responsibility, pointing to his denial of intending to harm Davy. Willcockson responded that he was taking responsibility for the gun discharging accidentally.
Acting Justice Ian Harrison noted that Willcockson's assertion of an accidental shooting conflicted with the jury's guilty verdict and Willcockson's own defense that he was provoked. CCTV footage showed Willcockson arriving at the residence with a dog, after which Davy appeared and reportedly demanded its return to its owner. A witness stated that when Willcockson raised a gun, Davy said, "You won't shoot me."
Willcockson's defense argued that he intended to cause grievous bodily harm rather than kill, emphasizing the incident's sudden nature and his intoxication at the time. Willcockson is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.