Sydney man charged with double murder has prior history

A man has been identified as the killer of a Sydney couple in a tragic case. The couple, Steven Finlay, 52, and Mitch Watson, 32, were stabbed to death in their home in Redfern in January 2022. Their neighbor, Christopher Bouggas, who had a history of violence, is accused of the murders. Bouggas, 44, had previously served time for manslaughter. He was found unfit for a criminal trial due to a mental illness. The court heard that he had threatened Finlay and Watson before, considering them “pests.” On the night of the attack, Finlay called emergency services, informing them he had been stabbed. Unfortunately, both men died before help arrived. There was significant evidence against Bouggas, including his fingerprints and DNA found at the crime scene. The couple had barricaded themselves in a room, suggesting they feared for their safety. Despite claims from the defense that another person could have committed the stabbings, the judge disagreed, finding no supporting evidence. The judge acknowledged Bouggas's mental health issues, including schizoaffective disorder, which could have influenced his actions. He ruled Bouggas was not criminally responsible due to his mental state at the time of the murders. Bouggas, who has been in custody since his arrest, will remain under supervision until a future decision about his release. The judge described the case as a significant tragedy, affecting many who knew the victims.