What the jury didn’t hear in the trial of my brother’s killer

Lucy Wessell contacted Australian True Crime to tell her family’s story about the unforeseeable and tragic loss of her brother Andrew - who is remembered by them as a kind and gentle man who loved his family, animals, and nature. He was a seasoned traveller who had friends all over the world.

Andrew Drake was stabbed to death in 2019. Andrew, 29, died on the lawn of a house in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, as his sister Penny desperately tried to save his life. The property where he was killed was the home of then 18-year-old Daniel Sharpe, who lived with his parents David and Julie. 

Andrew and his sister Penny were invited over to the house for a drink - the kind of thing people do to get to know their neighbours. The night turned into a nightmare - resulting in Andrew’s shocking death. 

Daniel Sharpe was acquitted of murder, but found guilty of manslaughter by a New South Wales Supreme Court jury. 

It was a decision that shattered Andrew’s family and Lucy wanted to tell her their story, especially about what the jury didn’t hear.

Lucy is speaking up for Andrew, so his killer’s claims of what happened are not how Andrew is portrayed. 

Homicide Victims’ Support Group NSW - https://www.hvsgnsw.org.au/

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode you can contact:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)

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CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Co-Host: Emily Webb. You can find her on Instagram here and listen to her podcast Killer Content here. 

Guests: Lucy Wessell

Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

Executive Producer: Jacqueline Tonks

Recorded at a Hub Australia Media Studio. Find the workspace that's right for you at https://www.hubaustralia.com/

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