A Melbourne “slave” and troubled sadomasochist who gained sexual pleasure from pain and humiliation has been cleared of the murder of his “master” and lover.
Henry Rose, 59, was found not guilty of murdering his partner of 28 years, 46-year-old Drew Dax, who died from stab wounds in Caulfield in January last year.
The Victorian Supreme Court this week heard that Rose told police Dax had threatened to kill him and was going to attack him with a knife.
Rose said he feared for his life and lunged at his lover in self-defense.
The court heard Dax was charming and personable but prone to outbursts of anger and had “a withering tongue.” His parents took out an intervention order against him after he threatened them with “kerosene baths” and with sending them “somewhere where it’s hot.”
The court was told details of the unusual relationship between Rose and Dax, including how, in 1989, the pair had conducted a devil-worshipping ceremony.
“[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.
He then cut Rose across the forehead and stabbed him in the right hand with a kitchen knife, leaving Rose to flee and call the police. They found 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 Dax. Defense attorney Geoffrey Steward said that on the night he died, one of the two men snapped, and it was unlikely it was Rose.
“So, on this particular night, after 28 years with Drew, he just snapped, did he?” Steward said in his closing address. “He just snapped and picked up two knives — two — and killed the man that he loved?”
Witnesses said 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 Rose any signs of aggression toward others, only to himself.
Supporters of Dax jeered and abused Rose as he was led from the dock after the not-guilty verdict was delivered Thursday.