A rural community has raised concerns over self-defence laws after an elderly man shot an alleged home invader accused of stabbing both him and his wife.
Keith Blessing, 75, and his wife Dianne Blessing, 72, were asleep at their home in Torrington, 65km southwest of Tenterfield, when 34-year-old Joshua Dylan Trethewey allegedly broke in about 12.15am on Thursday.
Police allege Trethewey stabbed Dianne in the chest, causing her to collapse, and Keith in the stomach before retreating onto the home’s veranda.
After Keith called triple-0, Trethewey allegedly attempted to re-enter the house before police arrived and was then shot in the stomach by Keith with a registered long arm.
Both Blessings were airlifted to hospital in critical but stable conditions while Trethewey was taken to hospital in a serious condition under police guard.
The alleged incident has sparked anxiety among locals after investigators said they will determine if Keith’s use of force was proportionate to the threat he faced — a threshold for self-defence laws in NSW.
Community reaction
Tenterfield Mayor Bronwyn Petrie said residents of rural towns were “shocked” while voicing their concerns at a community meeting on Friday.
“The community of Torrington and further afield are very traumatised, they’re shocked, they’re very rattled and concerned for, first of all, the Blessing couple,” Petrie told Weekend Sunrise.
“But, secondly, about their own welfare and the rights that they have to defend themselves in a small rural community.”
She said residents would more than likely disregard self-defence laws if they were put in the same situation, with one resident referencing a rap lyric from the 90s.
“As one lady said, ‘better to be judged by 12 than carried by six’,” Petrie said.
The phrase was popularised in 1996 by New York producer East Flatbush Project in the song Tried By 12, which implies in a life-or-death scenario it is best to face potential criminal charges than be killed and have your coffin “carried by six” pallbearers.
Legal implications
“Given the (alleged) violence that was enacted by the intruder, the community would be absolutely outraged were there any charges laid against (Keith) Blessing,” Petrie said.
“Thank God (he) was able to have that defence. We really do hope that the investigation happens very quickly in that part of it so that (Keith) and his family can be assured that there will be no charges laid as a result of his very brave actions.”
While investigations into the alleged incident remain ongoing, Trethewey has been charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
He was expected to appear before Bail Division Court on Thursday but his hearing was delayed as he underwent surgery.
