Charlotte Varcoe
THE Mount Gambier Supreme Court came to a stand still today (Thursday, September 5) as Cody James Edwards, 27, issued an apology to the friends and family of Synamin Bell.
Ms Bell was found dead in her Millicent home on March 22, 2022 after Edwards, who was her partner at the time, made a number of phone calls to Ms Bell’s family.
During the case, courts heard Edwards assaulted Ms Bell, claiming he suffered from paranoia due to a drug induced psychosis.
Edwards’ charges were downgraded from murder to manslaughter earlier in the year following a seven day trial.
Edwards pleaded guilty to manslaughter after pleading not guilty to murder.
He appeared in court on Thursday, September 5, where he made a public apology during sentencing submissions.
He said he had reflected on his actions and the rippling effect it had on others.
“I hate myself and plan to rehabilitate,” Edwards told the court.
He said the reality and severity had made it “so incredibly hard” to muster up the courage to write the letter to Ms Bell’s family.
“Nothing of what I am feeling comes close to the terrible pain I have caused to the Bell family,” Edwards said.
“I spend a lot of time reflecting on how my actions have impacted so many lives.”
He mentioned how Ms Bell was a mother, a sister, an aunt and a friend.
“I am so incredibly sorry to Synamin’s family and friends and anyone else in the wider community that may have had the pleasure of her company,” Edwards said.
“I hate myself for taking the mother from her children, I plan to rehabilitate and try to find some way to show the depth of my remorse.
“The word sorry does not cut it.”
It was also stated in court Edwards had harmed himself whilst in custody, for which he was treated.
The court also heard three impact statements from two members of Ms Bell’s family and one friend.
The first statement was read out in court by Oliver Thorney who was a friend of Ms Bell for a number of years.
Mr Thorney said Ms Bell was “not just a close friend” who was “tragically taken” from the world in a “senseless act of violence”.
“She was a lifeline to her three children, each of whom has unique challenges with disabilities,” Mr Thorney said.
“As someone who works in disability support, I had the privilege of walking alongside Synamin as she navigated the complexities of ensuring she would receive the best care and support possible.
“She dedicated her life to her children, going to extraordinary lengths to ensure they had everything they needed to thrive.”
Mr Thorney said due to the crime the children had not only lost their mother “but also their primary support system, confidant” and “source of unconditional love”.
He said the youngest child, who was effectively non-verbal at the time of Synamin’s death, “would speak only to her”.
“The loss of Synamin is not just the loss of a mother, it is the loss of their entire world.”
Mr Thorney said Synamin’s death “has shattered our community and the consequences of this will be felt for generations”.
Ms Bell’s mother, Rosemary Bell, submitted a victim impact statement which was read out in court, stating Ms Bell’s children continued to grapple with the loss of their mother.
The statement claimed Ms Bell’s three children, aged three, four and six at the time of the offending, did not understand what death meant.
“They thought their mummy was just having too much fun and would come home when she was done,” the statement read.
“When their mummy was not back, as they thought she would be, and there were no more calls from her at all, as she videoed them every night to say ‘goodnight I love you all’…they started asking why.
“How heartbreaking it was to explain to them their mother was not ever coming back because she died, especially the eldest boy who realised that his mother was gone forever.”
The statement spoke about Ms Bell’s absence at Christmas, Easter and birthdays and how she would no longer be present at school events, graduations or weddings.
“That is all gone forever at such tender ages, all thanks to him, she was their only parent, he could try and make up for her not being here, but their hearts will forever feel sad and empty,” it said.
“The now eight year old son often wakes up at night, crying because he is forgetting what his mummy’s voice sounds like.
“The now six year old will not look at herself in the mirror due to people telling her she looks like her mummy.”
It also stated Ms Bell’s youngest child would often speak to a photowall of Ms Bell in their home and tell her about their day.
“The children will face many challenges as they grow up without their mummy,” it said.
“No matter what we do it cannot take away their loss, they have received the life sentence of loss and grief, being stripped from the most important person in their lifetime.
“When they are older and use the internet, they will come across information about how she died and more and learn more about her suffering.”
The final victim impact statement was also read out in court from Ms Bell’s sister Brinda McGaughey who said she was “consumed by a mix of sadness and anger” as a result of her sister’s death.
“The pain inside me is so intense that it makes me physically shake,” the statement read.
“My grief is intensified because of what she endured.
“My sister’s death was not just a tragic event but a gruesome act that has left our family with lifelong trauma.”
It said Synamin “did not deserve” what had happened to her, labelling her death as “inhumane”.
“The violence inflicted on Synamin cannot be downplayed, it is a struggle to understand the complete disregard of human life that was displayed,” the statement read.
“Her three children are now without a mum to love and care for them, they will always carry the scars of her sudden departure, the pain of her absence will only grow stronger with time.
“The lack of remorse sickens me, I will never heal from this wound and I refuse to, the pain and grief is all I have left of my sister and I won’t lose that too.”
Edwards is expected to be sentenced tomorrow.
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