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Melbourne Man Jailed 19 Years for Killing Friend After Taking Synthetic Drug

The judge said the little-known drug PCE left him severely impaired.

Overview

  • Mark Graham Ludbrook received a 19-year sentence Thursday, with eligibility for parole after 14 years.
  • Outlets reported that time already served could make his first parole window about 12 years from now.
  • A jury in February found him guilty of murder after rejecting his claim that he lacked control because of intoxication.
  • The judge said PCE caused bizarre behavior and severely weakened his reasoning, which lowered his moral culpability when setting the minimum term.
  • Witnesses said he walked naked, acted like a game-show host, and talked to plants before he stabbed himself; when Autumn Baker, 40, tried to take the knife to help, he fatally stabbed her.