Wife killer Borce Ristevski given glowing character reference by daughter
A glowing character reference has been submitted by Sarah Ristevski in favour of her father, Borce Ristevski, and was heard in court.
Sarah, 23, was asked whether or not she wanted to submit a victim impact statement about the death of her mother Karen Ristevski – who Borce confessed to killing – but declined in favour of submitting a character reference for her father.
She described her dad as “loving”, “sympathetic” and “protective”.
Sarah also said that she wanted to experience a marriage like her parents shared one day. She told the Victorian Supreme Court:
“It pains me inside to hear all of these untrue claims about my parents’ marriage and the love they had for each other from people who were not a part of their lives and I can’t stress enough how much this has affected my dad,” Sarah wrote in the statement.
She also explained the impact that the murder confession had on her father.
“Since the act of violence, my dad has experienced job loss, a loss of respect within the community and the loss of close long-term friendships,” Sarah wrote.
“The circumstances have left me without both of my parents and I know there is nothing I can do to change that but all I can try to do is communicate the truth of how good of a dad and husband he was to my mum and I.”
Victim impact statements were written by Karen Ristevski’s family and read out on the first day of the pre-sentence hearing.
A cousin of Karen’s, Nevada Knight, told the court she had lost 15kg “by going days and weeks without being able to move” after Karen went missing.
“I would vomit every time I moved,” Nevada said.
Patricia Grey also broke down in the witness box, which was metres away from Borce.
Grey said:
“To watch ... as he was comforted by family and friends, to hear lies spew from his mouth — it would’ve made me sick.
“I can never forgive Borce for the lies and deceit and manipulation,” she told the court through tears.
“He manipulated his family. I believe he bullied and manipulated (Sarah).”
Grey went on to say that she didn’t think Borce was remorseful.
“You’ve had almost three years to come forward. That’s not remorse. That’s selfishness.
“Her body was discarded in the most inhumane way. It takes only a second to dial triple-0.”