A teenager has been jailed for at least 15 years for the savage murder of a retired nurse he targeted at random just because he wanted to kill someone.
Supreme Court Justice Margaret Nyland said the killing of 63-year-old Pirjo Kemppainen in the Adelaide Hills in September 2010 was senseless and frenzied.
She sentenced the 15-year-old, who had pleaded guilty to the murder he committed when he was 14, to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 15 years, to protect the community from further violence.
Justice Nyland said a particularly disturbing part of the crime was his selection of Ms Kemppainen was "completely random".
"Your sole motivation was your wish to kill someone," she told the boy.
"She was a complete stranger to you."
The judge said forensic psychologist Luke Broomhall had given evidence that the boy's desire to kill arose from a combination of factors including the boy's mild mental retardation, which made it hard for him to evaluate consequences or change his mind once he had fixated on an idea.
Dr Broomhall also said the boy's exposure to domestic violence, his father's encouragement to fight back at teasing and bullying and his constant exposure to violent films and video games were contributing factors.
Justice Nyland told the boy he saw others as the enemy.
She said Ms Kemppainen had been described as "small in stature but big in spirit", and a gentle woman.
Justice Nyland said the boy was indifferent at first but had started to realise the enormity of his crime and its devastating impact.
He would require long-term treatment for his conduct disorder, she said.
Justice Nyland warned the youth his release on parole was not automatic and would depend on his rehabilitation.
A co-accused will face trial next month.
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