Robert Mathew Marshall had worked as a chef at the Terminus Hotel in Marulan, while Adam Cordingley’s partner, Kate, worked there as a waitress. Photo: Terminus Hotel Marulan Facebook.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to a graphic injury.
Jurors rejected a chef’s claims of self-defence when finding him guilty of killing father-of-four Adam Cordingley in a late-night confrontation on his rural farm near Goulburn.
The NSW Supreme Court trial had been told Mr Cordingley was devastated after his partner, Kate, had a 12-month affair with Robert Mathew Marshall, which ended in mid-2023.
On the night of 23 March 2024, Marshall left the Terminus Hotel in Marulan, where he worked as a chef, then arrived back at his farm on Oallen Ford Road in Bungonia to find Mr Cordingley on his property wanting to speak about the affair.
Marshall said he kept a hunting knife in his car in case he hit a kangaroo on the road and needed to put it out of its misery, and had grabbed it before he got out of his car.
He alleged that during their conversation, Mr Cordingley grabbed him and began punching him around his head. He said he didn’t realise he’d stabbed Mr Cordingley until the latter said, “Did you stab me?”
Mr Cordingley was left with three stab wounds, including a significant 14 to 18 cm deep cut to his hip that went through bone before hitting an artery. This caused significant blood loss, resulting in his quick death.
The jury began deliberating on 3 June before returning on Tuesday (9 June) to announce they found Marshall guilty of manslaughter.
But the jurors did acquit the 42-year-old of the more serious charge of murder.
Marshall had pleaded not guilty and argued he acted in self-defence when Mr Cordingley attacked him, but due to the guilty verdict of manslaughter, this claim must have been rejected by the jury.
He remained in the community on bail during his trial, which was held in Sydney.
After the verdicts were delivered, prosecutor Nerissa Keay said while she did not have concerns about him being on bail, she said “custody is realistically inevitable in this matter”.
Marshall’s barrister, David Dalton SC, said there were no special or exceptional circumstances that would justify his client’s bail being continued, and Justice Paul McGuire said he would refuse it.
Ms Keay also asked that the sentencing proceedings take place in Goulburn so that members of Mr Cordingley’s family could attend.
Justice McGuire adjourned the sentencing to 17 June to determine where and when it would take place.
Marshall was seen hugging a supporter and waving at others before custodial officers led him out of the courtroom.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on Region Canberra.
