Listen

Description

The State of Western Australia v Mack [2012] WASC 127

WARNING: This episode involves violence and disturbing content.

In 2012, Brent Mack was found guilty of the murder of his mother Ah Bee Mack (known as Pauline). Brent was to inherit from his mother's estate however, the forfeiture rule provides that a person convicted of murder cannot inherit from the person they have killed.

Brent's brother Adrian was to inherit all of their late mother's estate. But he died before he received his inheritance and Brent was to inherit half of Adrian's estate. This would indirectly result in Brent receiving half of his late mother's estate, thereby benefiting from his crime.

That is, unless the forfeiture rule could be extended to cover indirect inheritance.