When Analyn ‘Logee’ Osias sought a family violence order after their breakup, she believed she would be protected from her ex-partner.
But the order was not enough.
The mother-of-four was murdered by the man in her regional Victorian home three months later, in front of two of her children.
James William Pualic, 45, broke into the Bendigo property shortly after 11pm on October 29, 2023, while Osias and his young daughters were sleeping.
He broke a window and then forced his way into the home by opening a connecting security door.
Ms Osias was dragged from her bed, and Pualic slammed her head into the floor and strangled her before stabbing her to death.
One of Hosias’ sons heard her screams and ran to the dining room to see his mother being attacked.
The young woman yelled at Pualic to stop, but he ignored her and called his mother a “bitch” before leaving the property and walking away.
Logee Osias and her young daughters were sleeping when James Pualic burst into their regional Victorian home.
Pualic (left) was sentenced Friday to 24 years and six months in prison, but will be eligible for parole after 19 years.
The boy called triple zero, but OsÃas could not save himself when the paramedics arrived.
Victorian Supreme Court Justice Rita Incerti described the murderous attack as “cruel and callous” as she sentenced Pualic on Friday to 24 years and six months behind bars.
“You totally dominated Mrs. Osias; she was completely defenseless against you,” the judge said.
“His presence in these circumstances must have been terrifying as she tried in vain to defend herself.”
Ms Osias obtained the family violence intervention order in July 2023 after Pualic assaulted her days after she broke up with him.
In an unusual move, the media was allowed to report on the intervention order after Judge Incerti ruled that the public should know that Pualic had “blatantly breached” an order designed to help Ms Osias.
“The full weight of the law was not enough to protect her,” Judge Incerti said.
“Mrs. Osias had the right to end their relationship without fear of harm.”
Mrs. Osias took out the family violence intervention order in July 2023 after Pualic attacked her days after she broke up with him.
Pualic drank half a bottle of vodka and took 12 tablets of antipsychotic medication on the day he committed the murder.
He had substance abuse problems and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, but those factors did not reduce the severity of his crime, Judge Incerti said.
She accepted that he had pleaded guilty to murder at an early stage, which demonstrated his remorse and prevented Mrs Osias’ family from having to give evidence at a trial.
But this was a serious case of family violence and Pualic had previous convictions for assaulting others, the judge said.
“Your crime undermines our confidence in the law’s ability to adequately protect women and children,” Judge Incerti said.
‘The domino effect is powerful. It leaves each of us with a feeling of helplessness.
“The message must be heard loud and clear: committing serious violence in a domestic setting and taking the life of another person will be met with extraordinarily strong punishment.”
She sentenced him to 24 years and six months behind bars, but he will be eligible for parole after 19 years.
The full force of the law was “not enough” to protect Ms. Osias, Judge Incerti said.
The standard sentence for murder is 25 years.
Pualic looked down as his sentence was read and thanked Judge Incerti as he asked guards to remove him from the courtroom.
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