A Sydney man has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison after stabbing his family on the eve of what they believed was his university graduation, an attack stemming from his shame at concealing that he had dropped out of his studies. The case, which unfolded in the Marrickville suburb of Sydney, highlights the intense pressures faced by students and the devastating consequences of concealing academic struggles.
Jackyy Dang, 24, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in April of last year, receiving a sentence of five years and nine months, with a non-parole period of three years. The sentencing took place this week, according to reports in the New Zealand Herald and the Sydney Morning Herald.
The attack occurred on , the night before Dang’s family expected him to attend his graduation ceremony from the University of Sydney. Dang had, for months, maintained the deception that he had successfully completed an advanced computing degree, despite failing a paper in and subsequently withdrawing from the course.
The violence began when Dang attacked his brother, Jackys, who was playing video games. According to a document filed with the New South Wales District Court, Jackys “suddenly felt a hot sensation in the back of his neck” and turned to see his brother wielding a small fruit knife. Jackys reportedly questioned Dang, asking, “What are you doing? Is this about the graduation thing?” and pleaded with him to stop, stating, “I turned out fine, you can stop this.” Before being stabbed nine times in the face, upper arm and back, Jackys managed to type “I am going to die” into a Discord message thread.
Their mother, Thri Truc Mai Nguyen, 56, intervened when she heard the commotion and was subsequently stabbed in the throat by Dang. She was able to wrestle the knife from her son’s grasp. Both Jackys and Nguyen were taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment. Jackys spent 13 days in hospital, including five days under sedation and intubation, while Nguyen spent four days receiving care.
During police questioning, Dang revealed he had been experiencing both homicidal and suicidal ideations. A court fact sheet detailed that he “had given up on life and had thought to kill his family and then himself,” and that he had planned to end his own life after the attack but ultimately decided to surrender to police when he realized his plan had failed.
The court heard evidence regarding Dang’s mental health, including a diagnosis of autism. A psychiatrist who testified before the court explained that Dang struggled with isolation and intense pressure surrounding academic achievement, pressures exacerbated by his parents’ own experiences with poverty and deeply ingrained cultural expectations. Judge Imad Abdul-Karim acknowledged these factors during sentencing, stating that Dang “was depressed and was not thinking straight” and that the attack appeared “relatively spontaneous” given his mental impairments.
The case underscores the growing concern surrounding mental health challenges among university students and the potential for devastating consequences when those challenges are left unaddressed. While the incident is a particularly extreme example, it reflects a broader trend of increasing stress and anxiety among young people navigating the pressures of higher education and societal expectations.
The New South Wales District Court provides a public court list allowing individuals to search for case details by name, case number, location, date, and other criteria. Listings are typically made available two weeks in advance. The court also publishes lists related to compensation claims and the return of subpoenas.
This incident follows a pattern of concerning events reported in Australian courts. The Canberra Times, for example, has recently covered cases involving alleged threats against politicians, violent assaults, and instances of fraud and abuse. These reports highlight the diverse range of criminal activity being processed through the Australian legal system.
