Sentencing Delayed for Daniel Billings in Murder of Molly Ticehurst
Billings pleaded guilty in November 2024 to murdering Ms Ticehurst in April 2024 at her home in Forbes, NSW. He was on bail for domestic violence charges—including rape, stalking, and intimidation—when he committed the murder.
The sentencing of Daniel Billings for the murder of childcare worker Molly Ticehurst has been delayed after his legal team submitted psychiatric evidence indicating he suffered from a severe depressive illness at the time of the killing.
The sentencing was scheduled for early June but has been vacated. His defense presented a forensic psychiatrist's report stating that Billings had a "severe form of depression" which "resulted in a mental impairment at the time of the offence."
The report suggested his abnormal state of mind likely affected his perception and capacity to control his actions. If the impairment is deemed "substantial," it could allow for a manslaughter charge instead of murder.
Defense counsel Sarah Talbert stated Billings wished to maintain the murder plea but requested the medical evidence be considered in sentencing.
Crown prosecutor Lee Carr SC requested a delay to obtain an independent expert assessment. Billings did not agree to see another psychiatrist, so the Crown's expert will rely on over 1,000 pages of medical records.
Two psychiatrists are available to complete reports by the end of August, another by November. Justice Natalie Adams vacated the original dates and rescheduled for early September. A further mention is set for August.
Additional charges (property damage, animal cruelty, breach of AVO) will be considered at sentencing.