Australian True Crime – Shortcut: A Victim’s Perspective of the Mental Impairment Defence (Re-issue)
Podcast: Australian True Crime
Host: Bravecasting
Episode Date: March 18, 2026
Guest: David Cammarata
Episode Overview
This re-issued episode delves into the real-life impact of the mental impairment defence through the harrowing experiences of David Cammarata, survivor of a violent, seemingly random attack by his former best friend, Jonathan Dick. Following on from expert commentary by forensic psychiatrist Dr. Danny Sullivan in episode 216, host Meshel Laurie gives a platform to the victims and their families to articulate the ongoing fear, uncertainty, and trauma they endure after such violent events. The episode scrutinizes the forensic mental health system, exploring the outcomes for both victims and offenders when severe mental illness shapes criminal responsibility.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Thomas Embling Hospital and "Forensic Patients" ([00:12])
- Background:
Thomas Embling Hospital is explained as Victoria’s secure forensic psychiatric facility. Patients are admitted either involuntarily under the Mental Health Act or as forensic patients via the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act. - Noteworthy Cases:
- Tony Abbott being punched by a patient, Sean Christian Price (who later committed a notorious murder).
- Ross Konidaris’ case: from psychotically induced violent crime to repeat offenses while on release.
- Broader System:
Dr. Sullivan (in a prior episode) made the case for the hospital's rehabilitative mission and successes but acknowledged public perceptions shaped by rare but severe recidivism.
David’s Relationship with Jonathan Dick—Before the Violence ([04:13])
- “He was a decent guy... very intelligent... heavy cannabis user.” – David
- Subtle Changes:
Increasingly odd behavior raised concerns, including intense moods, withdrawal, and strange allegations due to paranoid delusions (“had some vision... of myself and his brother bashing him until his brain fell out... and all these angels came”). - Quote:
- “He was actually working at my house... noticing just the odd thing here and there that just didn’t... wasn’t like him exactly. Just a bit darker in tone.” ([04:13])
The Public Attack and Aftermath ([07:06]; [08:47])
- Shock and Media Coverage:
David details hearing of the murder of Jonathan’s brother (David Dick), initially misreported and only slowly pieced together by David as the reality set in. - Quote:
- “Within a split second, I was like, well, they’ve got it wrong. That’s his brother who’s died. I thought it was Jono that had died... And then I was like, okay, shit, he’s killing people now.” ([07:06]-[07:21])
- Own Assault:
Jonathan stalked and ambushed David with a hammer outside his house.- “He creeped out underneath from the stairs and then bang. I actually thought something had fallen off the roof and hit me in the head.” ([08:47])
- “I wasn’t thinking straight... I mean, you could see right into my neck. A huge piece of skin flapped open.” ([09:53])
- David describes the utter chaos and terror for his family in the aftermath.
Living in Fear — The Ongoing Trauma ([10:55] - [12:58])
- Displacement:
The family was forced to repeatedly move, living with friends, relatives, and never feeling safe.- “We knew we couldn’t stay in our house... We lived with somebody for a week... friend had us, then my sister-in-law, three months... Move number three with three kids.” ([10:55])
- Constant Hypervigilance:
- “My adrenaline must have been redlining... 24 hours a day, all day, every day. I’ve jumped at my own shadow. I’ve been swooped by birds and just about had a heart attack.” ([11:34]-[11:37])
- Stalking:
Police were unable to find Jonathan for months; David describes the anxiety, especially after learning Jonathan had surveilled him for nine days undetected.- “He’d been stalking me, I think, for nine days... I had no idea.” ([12:00]-[12:02])
The Capture and Legal Outcome ([13:54])
- Capture:
David eventually spotted and chased Jonathan with a colleague, leading to Jonathan’s arrest on the street where he had just been spying. - Diagnosis & Court Findings:
- Jonathan Dick was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and found not guilty by way of mental impairment.
- Admitted as a forensic patient at Thomas Embling Hospital—after a period delayed by a lack of available beds.
- Quote:
- “Justice Lex Lasry accepted that he was suffering the effects of a severe mental illness... and found Jonathan not guilty of murder, attempted murder and stalking by way of mental impairment.” ([13:54])
The Mental Impairment Defence—A Victim’s Perspective ([14:57])
- Enduring Uncertainty:
- Unlike victims of “mainstream” offenders, there is no parole schedule or automatic notification. Even police receive only minimal notifications when the patient is allowed on leave.
- “I was told by the homicide detective that even when he’s allowed out on day release, the police get notified, but not of what he has done... So they don’t even give me a phone call to say, Hey, we’re just gonna test him out down at Northland Shopping Centre or High Point Shopping Centre. Maybe steer clear of that place.” ([14:57]-[15:29])
- Persistent Impact:
- David continues to struggle with complex PTSD, hypervigilance, and has to medicate to manage day-to-day anxiety:
- “I these days have to take four different types of medication... it’s all those triggers... from opening doors to, I scold myself if I walk out of a door and I don’t look each way... I can’t handle if someone’s a few meters behind me.” ([15:29])
- Community Safety vs. Therapeutic Intent:
- “If you allow him back out on the streets again, I get it that he may be better. But if you’ve gotten it wrong, which you clearly have in the past, it could cost me my life or somebody else. And I think that’s a big risk to take to the community.” ([16:58])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the Sudden Violence:
“He creeped out underneath from the stairs and then bang. I actually thought something had fallen off the roof and hit me in the head.” — David ([08:47]) - On Living in Fear:
“I’ve jumped at my own shadow. I’ve been swooped by birds and just about had a heart attack. You name it, I’ve done it. But on the same token, all that stuff kept me alive.” — David ([11:34]) - On the Criminal Justice Gap:
“You don’t know anything. We’re not allowed to know anything... The police get notified, but not of what he has done.” — David ([14:57])
Key Timestamps
- [00:12] – Background: Thomas Embling Hospital and the forensic mental health system
- [04:13] – David recounts his and Jonathan’s childhood friendship and early warning signs
- [07:06] – Murder of Jonathan’s brother and David’s realisation of the attacker's identity
- [08:47] – Attempted murder: David describes the attack and immediate aftermath
- [10:55] – Life on the run: the family’s repeated moves for safety
- [11:34] – The psychological toll: hypervigilance and trauma
- [12:58] – Jonathan’s capture
- [13:54] – Legal process: mental impairment defence, hospital admission
- [14:57] – Lack of victim information and ongoing uncertainty
- [15:29] – Lasting impact and perspectives on community safety
Tone & Language
The episode is candid, raw, and personal. David speaks plainly and emotionally about his trauma, while Meshel Laurie’s questions balance empathetic understanding with curiosity about systemic justice issues. There’s a persistent note of frustration and helplessness regarding the gaps in support and notification for victims in cases involving mental impairment.
Summary
This episode provides a rare and unflinching look at the ongoing impact of the mental impairment defence, not just on individual victims but on their families and communities. Through David’s vivid recounting, listeners are brought face-to-face with the persistent anxiety and lack of closure that can follow such cases. The episode probes bigger questions about how the justice and mental health systems weigh therapeutic goals against victim safety and the needs for transparency and communication.