A Melbourne man will spend at least 14 years behind bars for the murder of Machar Kot, who died from a single stab wound to his heart.
Marco Deng, 24, was found guilty by a jury over the June 2020 murder of Mr Kot, 21, after he was cornered and stabbed in Melbourne CBD.
Supreme Court Justice Amanda Fox said she hoped her sentence will send a message that it only takes a single stab wound to commit murder, as she jailed him for a maximum of 19 years on Thursday.
"All people, but particularly young people, need to understand that if you use a knife to kill another human being then you should expect to spend a very lengthy portion of your own life in jail," she told the court.
Deng was high on drugs, drunk and angry at Mr Kot, after he made a jibe about him being a "snitch" on social media, when he sought him out for a fight in the early hours of June 22.
He punched Mr Kot in the head outside a Market Street hotel. Mr Kot tried to escape and get into the hotel, but the doors did not open.
Mr Kot was backed against a wall when Deng struck him once to the chest with a large kitchen knife, piercing through his heart.
He collapsed on to the ground and died at the scene. Deng fled but was arrested days later at a medical clinic after telling staff to call police.
While Deng did not intend to kill or seriously injury Mr Kot when he went to the hotel that evening, Justice Fox found he had formed that intention seconds before the murder.
"You maintained this intention throughout the approximately 11 seconds it took you to reach Mr Kot and inflict the fatal knife wound," she said.
Mr Kot's family were left devastated by his death and continue to be traumatised by Deng's crime, the court heard previously.
Anhial Kot said her older brother was protective of his siblings and had a big smile and heart.
"Having a sibling murdered is something that changes you for life," she said during a pre-sentence hearing.
His mother Monica Apar said she was constantly tormented by what her son endured in his final moments.
Justice Fox took into account the "enormous and painful" impact the crime had on Mr Akot's loved ones.
"Murder is the most serious crime in our legal system. You have taken the life of Mr Kot who was just 21-years-old and had his whole life ahead of him," Justice Fox said.
"His mother and sister, and no doubt all his family and friends have been devastated by his death."
Deng must serve 14 years in prison before he will become eligible for parole. His sentence includes eight months of time already served.
