Graham Clive Sandy: Drill killer charged with Mirrabooka housemate’s murder found guilty of lesser charge

A man who lied to police about piercing his Mirrabooka housemate’s skull with a 7.5cm drill bit because he was annoyed at being told to wash dishes has been found guilty of manslaughter. Graham Clive Sandy was charged with murdering Shane Davis, 59, over the shocking violence that erupted at their McFarlane Circle property on Halloween 2023. The 51-year-old’s Supreme Court of WA trial was shown video of him being interviewed by detectives the following day, claiming the victim was a heavy, annoying drinker and had injured himself falling over. He then admitted striking Mr Davis with a drill that lay on the dining table, saying it wasn’t plugged in. The victim had urged him to clean up while he made two-minute noodles. “The kitchen was clean anyway - that’s why I told him to get f...ed and clobbered him in the head,” Sandy said. “He was pissing me off. “Just one dong and that was it.” While confronting images were shown to the jury, a forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy pointed to a curved wound showing the chuck part of the drill had made contact with Mr Davies’ scalp. She said she recognised tiny fragments of bone “reminiscent of sawdust” seen “routinely when we have to cut bones for autopsies”, using special saws or powered drills. When the detectives warned Mr Sandy that his housemate may die from a massive brain injury, he said quietly: “I hope Davo’s OK”. The interview concluded about one hour before Mr Davis was taken off life support in hospital. He died the next morning. Sandy’s defence centred on his intent and on Wednesday, the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge. He will be sentenced on May 1.