"I will grieve for Luca until my last breath"

A father who stabbed his four-year-old son to death has been found not guilty, due to his mental incompetence.

David Janzow killed his son Luca in July last year. Luca died in hospital after David alerted a police in the Adelaide foothills that he had injured his son, who was found in his ute.

After a series of psychiatric reports were submitted, Justice John Sulan found David not guilty by reason of mental incompetence, but found that David was indeed the sole perpetrator of the crime.

David will now be subjected to a lifetime supervision order within a secure psychiatric facility.

A victim impact statement from Luca’s mother, Julia Trinne was read out to the court. “I will grieve for Luca until my last breath,” she said in the statement. “At the young age of four Luca had inner wisdom of someone far beyond his years.”

Describing how Luca’s death had affected her emotionally, Julia explained in the statement that she felt, “Shattered, utterly and incomprehensible broken.”

“I wanted to get out of this world, I wanted to find Luca. It’s a sadness I did not know was possible. I felt broken and I was broken. I wish Dave had taken me instead.”

“Every part of the life I knew and lived no longer existed. The man who Luca and I loved so dearly was the man who took my son’s life. I have lost my beautiful son Luca and I have lost my husband.”

“The loss of Luca and the grief itself is devastating beyond comprehension, I felt at times I could’ve stopped breathing and sometimes I wish I could. I know deep inside I will never be the same.”

The case is set to return to court in February, where the terms of David’s mental health licence will be ordered.

Main image courtesy of Facebook.

18 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 05 Dec 2021
    11:08 am
Oh that poor little angel.

- - mom156049 said
  - 12 Feb 2016
    10:08 am
Dealing with the pain of the death of a child especially in such tragic circumstances is unimaginable. Sending prayers to the family and friends of little Luca and praying his mum can survive through her grief

- - june11 said
  - 12 Jan 2016
    12:12 am
Due the fact that technically this case is still before the courts we have to be careful what is said or written.

- - pakeko said
  - 28 Dec 2015
    8:39 pm
My goodness what a horrible thing for all involved, I pray they all find peace to get though this

- - rachelvk said
  - 26 Dec 2015
    11:24 am
Oh what an absolute horrible story. I do hope some peace can be found.

- - jodiev1980 said
  - 17 Dec 2015
    5:55 pm
I can’t imagine how devastated she would be. Her precious child taken from her way too soon.

- - mom101628 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    10:05 pm
What a tragic story – my heart breaks for you.

Do hope you will be able to find peace somehow

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    9:36 pm
I don’t even know what to say. My heart breaks for you Julia. No mother should EVER have to endure something so terrible. RIP Luca xx

- - BellaB said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    4:13 pm
Absolutely sad for everyone. I can’t imagine how you’d cope.

- - rovermum said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    2:21 pm
What an absolute tragedy. To go from a loving family to having lost both David and Luca. My thoughts go out to Julia at this absolutely tough time.

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    9:35 am
This saddens me completely. Thinking of and sending love and prayers to dearest Julia.

- - mom134803 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    2:23 am
How heartbreaking to loose both your son and husband in this way, what pain this must be !! Praying for and thinking about mum Julia, may God draw near to her and comfort and heal her broken heart.

- - mom71495 said
  - 15 Dec 2015
    10:19 pm
Dearest Julia,
I read your heartbreaking story about your sweet young son Luca. What a horrible incident to happen to your dear boy. Please accept my deepest sympathy. You said you wished that your husband Dave had taken you instead. If that happened then where would Luca have been? A parent should never have to bury any of their children. My heart is hurting for you. Luca is safe now, but your heart needs healing. I pray healing virtue to flow and peace be yours in your loss through the LORD, for He is with you and understands your loss and sadness. As a mother it hurts deeply, because you carried Luca and birthed him. I am so sad with you. God bless you dear lady. Sending love, care and prayer your way.

- - mom74640 said
  - 15 Dec 2015
    10:56 am
Like jf

- - mom80542 said
  - 15 Dec 2015
    7:27 am
I just cannot imagine and never want to imagine or know what she is going through. It is just the most unthinkable thing that could happen to a child. And so hard for a mother left behind. I hope that she can somehow move forward (eventually).

- - mom165081 said
  - 15 Dec 2015
    1:14 am
How harrowing for all involved. Cannot begin to imagine how hard it must be living without normal freedoms and not fully understanding why. So tragic for immediate and extended families.

- - mom160421 said
  - 14 Dec 2015
    10:36 pm
Not Guilty due to mental incompetence is a joke. Surely it should be Guilty due to mental incompetence. This man took an innocent child’s life whether he meant to or not. When drunk driver’s get behind the wheel of a car and kill someone, they are charged even though they were not mentally competent at the time.

- - mom168930 said
  - 14 Dec 2015
    8:52 pm
An absolutely devastating and heartbreaking thing to happen my heart and soul goes out to mum Julia trinne