00:00 Louay Seiko is a killer who should be jailed for life.
00:05 That's what prosecutors told the Supreme Court today as the family of his victim sat through
00:10 their third day of distressing evidence.
00:13 Celeste Mano was subjected to a prolonged cyber-stalking campaign by Seiko.
00:18 He researched the floor plan of Ms Mano's house and in November 2020 used a hammer to
00:23 break in and stabbed her to death as she slept in her bedroom.
00:27 The prosecutor called it an unprovoked, savage and cowardly attack.
00:32 But Mr Seiko's lawyer argued a life sentence was too harsh because of his severe mental
00:37 illness and because there was a chance he could be rehabilitated.
00:41 The psychiatrist told the court it was likely Seiko would re-offend if he was ever released.
00:46 If he did return to stalking there'd be a high chance of violence, he said.
00:50 A life sentence is the harshest penalty in the Victorian court system and it'll be up
00:55 to a judge to decide the final sentence.
00:58 Since her death Ms Mano's family have campaigned for tougher stalking laws, saying she was
01:03 failed by the system.
01:05 Being able to actually investigate online offences and cyber-stalking, you know, it's
01:10 a specialty area and it's an area that police internationally struggle with.
01:14 There is an epidemic of stalking.
01:17 One in six women and one in 15 men have experienced stalking.
01:22 Two years ago the Victorian Law Reform Commission recommended making stalking laws clearer and
01:27 for more financial and legal support to be provided to victims.
01:31 The ABC understands the state government is still considering those recommendations but
01:36 is yet to put any of them into action.
01:38 Victoria Police are trialling a new screening tool which is designed to detect stalking
01:43 behaviour to try to keep victims safe.
01:47 A measure that's come too late for this family.
01:49 [BLANK_AUDIO]
