Ni-Vanuatu seasonal worker who sawed off Aussie pensioner's foot for cash may be released in months

A ni-Vanuatu seasonal worker who amputated an Australian pensioner's foot for NZ$6,000, leading to the man's death, could be released from prison this year. John Yalu, 41, was sentenced to nine years in prison for manslaughter but may walk free in August, having already spent nearly four-and-a-half years in custody.

Yalu was acquitted of murder by a jury after a four-day trial. The sentencing judge described the jury's decision as "merciful." During the sentencing, Yalu, crying, expressed remorse to the victim's family through a Bislama interpreter. "I want to say that I wanted to help him. But he died from what I did," Yalu stated, offering apologies on behalf of his family, tribe, island, and country.

“

I want to say that I wanted to help him. But he died from what I did. I want to take this opportunity to apologise and say sorry to his family. On behalf of my family, my tribe, my island (Tanna) and my country Vanuatu, I am very sorry. And that is all.

Kalman Tal, the 66-year-old pensioner, was described by his family as a gentle, religious man battling mental illness. In the months before his death, Tal had been approaching strangers and asking them to amputate his leg. He bled to death in a gutter near his car on February 19, 2022, after Yalu cut off his foot above the ankle with a circular saw in a park. Tal had supplied the saw and instructed Yalu on its use before lying down for the procedure.

“

It was shocking, it really shook me, every time I get reminded of the court case, I get a sick feeling in my stomach and it doesn't go away for weeks.

The victim's son, Filip Tal, spoke of the "unique kind of grief" caused by the "unusual death," stating that the court case's reminders left him with a persistent sick feeling. The victim's brother, Frank Tal, questioned the lack of professional help for his brother, who had schizophrenia. He noted that Tal's mental illness was obvious and that he was not referred to a psychiatrist when he requested his leg be removed, especially when off his medication.

Yalu's lawyer, Michael Rodriguez, informed the court that Yalu has limited education and had been working as a banana picker in Australia annually since 2017 to support his family of eight.

“

This is not normal behaviour; I can't understand why he wasn't referred to a psychiatrist. When Kal was off his medication, he would see things out of perspective, his whole demeanour and character was changed. Unfortunately, no one cared for Kal - the professionals did not acknowledge or refer him for treatment when he was making demands of them to remove his leg.