A Perth man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of a teenager during a staged drug transaction in North Perth in 2022. Jaden Anthony Martinovich, now 21, must serve a minimum of 14 years before he will be eligible for parole.
Martinovich, who was 18 at the time of the incident, admitted to murdering a 17-year-old boy after a fake drug sale turned violent. The deal, arranged via social media, involved Martinovich attempting to sell a bag of bath salts for $250, falsely presented as illicit drugs.
The Supreme Court of Western Australia heard that the intended buyer had planned to steal Martinovich’s car. A confrontation ensued in a car park on Bourke Street, during which the victim attacked with a hammer and tried to escape in Martinovich’s vehicle. Martinovich chased after the car, forcibly removed the teen from the driver’s seat and stabbed him in the chest.
The teenager was taken by a friend—who had helped plan the theft—to his parents’ home, where he lost consciousness and said, “He stabbed me… I think I’m going to die.” He later passed away in hospital from his injuries.
Justice Bruno Fiannaca, presiding over the sentencing, described the incident as the “tragic culmination of foolish and reckless decisions of two young men intent on acting like gangsters.” He noted that both had entered the meeting intending to deceive the other.
The court was also presented with dash cam footage from Martinovich’s car, which captured conversations immediately following the stabbing. During the drive home, Martinovich told a 14-year-old passenger that he would “sleep like a baby” after stabbing the victim, adding “I love doing that.” When alone, he expressed regret, questioning why he had committed such a violent act over a mere $250.
Justice Fiannaca said the recordings revealed a “rollercoaster of emotions” and showed Martinovich grasping the gravity of his actions when he was alone.
Martinovich’s legal representative, David Grace KC, argued that his client had been set up by a friend who betrayed him by conspiring with the victim to steal the car. The court heard that Martinovich had taken a knife with him “in case things went south.”
The judge acknowledged Martinovich’s supportive upbringing, noting that he was raised in a loving and stable environment by parents who continue to stand by him. He had been brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness and described his parents—who are now divorced but remain close—as his best friends.
Justice Fiannaca said the murder had caused deep emotional harm to the victim’s family. The teenager’s mother expressed that she would “never be whole again,” while Martinovich’s mother had been subjected to abuse online in the aftermath of the crime.
Martinovich has been in custody since August 30, 2022. He will be eligible to apply for parole in 2036.
