A Kalgoorlie-Boulder man who stabbed and killed his brother during an alcohol and drug-fuelled argument has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Joseph Tennesee Campbell, 19, stabbed his brother, Dillon Gregory Campbell, during a drunken brawl at their family home on November 17 last year.
Western Australia's Supreme Court was told Campbell, who was 18 at the time of the attack, stabbed his older brother with a 15cm serrated knife before fleeing the property.
The court heard the incident began as an argument between the two brothers, and escalated into a shoving match before family members intervened.
Prosecutor David Davidson said Campbell continued to threaten his brother and tried to use a glass stubby as a weapon before he was disarmed.
He then picked up the knife from a nearby table.
Mr Davidson told the court Campbell's brother proceeded to taunt him after seeing the blade in his hand.
"You got a knife … stab me with it then you c**t," he said.
Campbell then approached his brother, reached around his family, and stabbed him in the chest.
Driven by alcohol
Dillon Campbell was taken by ambulance to Kalgoorlie Health Campus, where he died a short time later.
Joseph Campbell was located a short time later by Kalgoorlie police, with tests revealing a blood alcohol reading of 0.149.
He was taken into custody that night and charged with murder four days later, which was subsequently negotiated to the lesser charge of unlawful killing.
The court heard the attack, which took place in the presence of several children, had been traumatic and distressing.
The family elected not to participate in the police investigation, torn between mourning one son and supporting the other.
Mr Davidson said the family was "devastated" by the loss of their son who was loved by his family.
Prison term likely
Defence counsel Alana Woldan said the seriousness of the crime warranted a term of imprisonment, but asked Justice Anthony Derrick to consider her client's personal situation in determining the sentence.
She said Campbell had been raised in an environment of aggression and violence and turned to alcohol and drugs as a way to block out his surroundings.
Ms Woldan said her client had expressed sadness for the events that led to his brother's death, he thought about him daily, and recalled things he loved about him.
Justice Derrick adjourned the case saying he required more time to consider the facts before handing down his sentence.
Campbell is due back in court on May 25.
