A woman who stabbed her flatmate eight times before licking his blood from the murder weapon and saying "now you see what I'm capable of", has been jailed for at least 20 years.

Leanne Carol Prak, 43, was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury of murdering Michael McEvoy at his Holden Hill unit in May 2016.

The court heard Prak was grossly intoxicated when she stabbed the 65-year-old once in the chest and seven times in the back during a frenzied argument.

After the fatal attack she licked the blood from the kitchen knife and said "Now you see what I'm capable of", before making three phone calls — none of which were for an ambulance.

Police emoji in text message

The court heard she sent a text message to a friend which read, "SOS he dead" with a police emoji.

The court also heard Mr McEvoy had struggled with homelessness and drug dependency for most of his life, but at the time of his death he had secured a home and was optimistic about the future.

Mr McEvoy — who was described by his sister as kind and thoughtful during sentencing submissions — had offered Prak a place to stay when she would have otherwise been homeless.

"Unfortunately it was this act of generosity which would lead to his death," Justice David Peek said.

Michael McEvoy was stabbed to death at his Holden Hill unit in May 2016. ( Supplied: SA Police )

Justice Peek said when police arrived at the scene, Prak had blood on her left cheek and fingertips but tried to blame her ex-boyfriend, who was also at the unit, for the stabbing.

He said a psychiatric assessment found while Prak was aware of the gravity of her offending, she had not shown any genuine remorse for taking Mr McEvoy's life.

"You have made no apology to those close to the deceased in court or otherwise," Justice Peek said.

Justice Peek acknowledged that the murder was not premeditated, but said Prak had little prospect of rehabilitation.

He imposed a non-parole period of 20 years.

"It seems your life to date has been largely dominated by the negative effects of your alcohol addiction," he said.

"You would do well to reflect upon this during the lengthy period in jail you have in front of you."

Prak, who will serve the mandatory life sentence for murder, showed no emotion as the non-parole period was handed down.

Outside court, Mr McEvoy's sister Glenise Davis said she had hoped her brother's killer would serve a longer non-parole period.