Murderer has no funds for appeal
A CONVICTED Tasmanian murderer who waterboarded and suffocated his victim with a plastic shopping bag will appeal his 22-year jail sentence “on the basis that it is manifestly excessive” — despite being unable to afford the legal fees.
Mark Rodney Jones, 43 — also a convicted rapist — appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania via video link from prison yesterday, taking the initial steps in his bid for a shorter stint in jail.
The former bodybuilder is serving 22 years, with a minimum term of 13 years, after murdering Launceston man Bradley Breward on New Year’s Day 2017, dumping his body in a lake near Devonport.
Defence barrister Cameron Scott, appearing by arrangement with Jones’s lawyer Fabiano Cangelosi, confirmed the killer would only appeal his sentence — not his murder conviction.
But he said Jones couldn’t foot the legal costs of an appeal.
“The appellant is without means to fund his appeal,” Mr Scott said.
“Mr Cangelosi intends to apply … that aid be provided in relation to the appeal.”
But Justice Helen Wood noted that Jones had legal representation and that the court should not be “placed in that position” of having to provide aid.
She said Mr Cangelosi had a fortnight to file a “section 410 application” — when a court or judge orders a person be provided with help from the Legal Aid Commission if it’s “in the interests of justice” and if the person doesn’t have sufficient means.
The Mercury previously reported that Jones, of West Launceston, “obsessively” tracked down his victim because he believed the 22-yearold had stolen his ute.
Jones will return to court for another directions hearing on February 4 before an appeal hearing date is set down.