Quincy Zuma Wambitta Timberlake killed his son Sinclair, 3, in Kallangur and believed he was possessed by the devil
A former Kenyan presidential candidate killed his three-year-old son after believing he was possessed by the devil and aliens, a court has heard.
Quincy Zuma Wambitta Timberlake, 43, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his son Sinclair, who died at their home in Kallangur, north of Brisbane, on June 18, 2014.
Police were initially told the young boy had fallen down the stairs and was not breathing when emergency services were called to the home.
Quincy Zuma Wambitta Timberlake convicted of manslaughter of son
Sinclair Timberlake, 3, died at his home in Kallangur in June 2014
The boy died shortly after, despite the efforts of paramedics.
Crown prosecutor Clayton Wallis said it was “difficult to determine what happened” to the child because Timberlake and his wife, Ether Timberlake, “obscured the true timeline of events.”
He said “because of the lies” told by both men and the “delusions” Timberlake has experienced since the death, the Crown has been unable to determine the exact manner in which the child died – but the pressure on his abdomen was a factor.
Ms. Timberlake later told police that her husband punched the young boy in the stomach and also threw him against a wall.
She has since been found guilty of accessory after the fact to the boy’s manslaughter after trying to mislead police that her husband had injured their son.
It was never suggested that Ms. Timberlake harmed her son.
The court heard that Ms Timberlake eventually told police she heard her husband say “the devil is gone now” after punching the boy in the stomach.
Mr Wallis said Timberlake’s mental health at the time had deteriorated due to the stresses in his life, including his ongoing visa application and fear for his family’s safety.
The court heard Timberlake arrived in Australia as a refugee and was eventually granted a transitional visa after his wife was allowed to sponsor him.
Ms Timberlake had already obtained a visa for Australia.
Quincy Zuma Wambitta Timberlake punched his son in the stomach, leading to his death.
Judge Paul Freeburn sentenced Timberlake to 11 years in prison for the unlawful killing of Sinclair.
However, he said Friday that Timberlake was eligible for parole after serving nine years and one month on remand.
The court heard Timberlake sought treatment for his mental health while in custody.
Timberlake announced in 2010 that he would run for president of Kenya under a political party he formed with his wife and the founder of Kenya’s Finger of God Church, Joseph Hellon.
