Vic 'slave' cleared of murdering master

A Melbourne "slave" has been cleared of a murder charge after a jury found he was in fear for his life when he stabbed his lover and "master" to death.

Henry Rose, 59, was found not guilty of murdering his partner of 28 years, Drew Dax, 46, by a Victorian Supreme Court jury that deliberated for only a few hours.

Mr Dax died from stab wounds in January last year.

Rose, a troubled sadomasochist, told police he panicked and lunged at Mr Dax after Mr Dax had threatened to kill him and lunged at him with a knife.

He was crying and fearing for his life at the same time, Mr Rose told police.

The court heard Mr Dax was charming and personable but prone to outbursts of anger and had "a withering tongue".

His own parents took out an intervention order against him after he threatened them with "kerosene baths" and sending them "somewhere where it's hot".

The court was told details of the pair's unusual relationship, including how in 1989 Mr Dax and Rose had conducted a devil-worshipping ceremony.

"(Mr Dax) aided by 16th-century church choir music, entered into a possessed trance and adopted the role of Satan demanding victims bow before him," the court heard.

Mr Dax then cut Mr Rose across the forehead and stabbed him in the right hand with a kitchen knife, causing Mr Rose to flee and call the police.

They had found Mr Dax in a lounge room, still in a trance and holding the knife.

Prosecutor Peter Chadwick said the violent incidents could not excuse the killing of Mr Dax.

Defence barrister Geoffrey Steward said the night Mr Dax died, one of the two men snapped, and it was unlikely it was Mr Rose.

"So, on this particular night, after 28 years with Drew, he just snapped, did he? He just snapped and picked up two knives - two - and killed the man that he loved?" Mr Steward said in his closing address.

Witnesses said Mr Dax was an "unusual" man, but also charming and gregarious and, while prone to outbursts, was never physically violent.

Another witness said he never saw in Mr Rose any signs of aggression towards others, only to himself.

Supporters of Mr Dax jeered and abused Mr Rose as he was led from the dock after the not-guilty verdict was delivered on Thursday.