SA closes self-defence loophole that saw drug-affected killer handed lighter sentence

Legislation to close a loophole in self-defence laws has passed through South Australian parliament after a killer had his charges downgraded because he was in a drug-affected state.

Synamin Bell was beaten with a baseball bat by her partner Cody Edwards in their Mount Gambier home in 2022.

High on a hallucinogenic drug at the time, Edwards claimed he wrongly believed he was in danger and acted in self-defence when he killed the mother-of-three.

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He successfully used the defence to have his murder charge downgraded to manslaughter.

Edwards was given an 11-year sentence over Bell's death, which prompted a relentless campaign for law change by her family.

Today legislation was passed to stop alleged murderers from claiming self-defence while affected by self-induced intoxication.

"We wanted to make sure that where we saw gaps in the law, that we were addressing them," SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.

"We didn't want to wait for the royal commission before we acted in some areas like Synamin's Law to close this loophole."

Synamin's brother Paul Bell hopes the law change can be implemented across the country.

"It's an emotional moment I guess, it's good to see that action is happening," he said.

"Well done to the South Australian government. And let's just hope that not just the South Australian government but every state follows."

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