Killer’s brief gets the sack

Last-minute twist in case before murder sentencing

CONVICTED killer Shannon James Duffy, who shot his friend execution-style by the side of the road, has sacked his lawyer in the leadup to his sentencing.

Duffy, 31, has confessed to killing Gagebrook father-oftwo Jarrod Leigh Turner in April last year, shooting his unsuspecting housemate in the head at close range.

On Tuesday, Duffy’s lawyer Cameron Scott was expected to make submissions on the killer’s behalf in the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

But in an 11th-hour twist, Mr Scott withdrew from the case, telling Justice Michael Brett that Duffy no longer required his services.

The killer’s new lawyer, Frances McCracken, appeared via video link, requesting an adjournment so she could take further instructions from Duffy.

She also said there had been developments over the past week that could mitigate her new client’s plea.

Justice Brett asked for a revised copy of the Crown facts, since some elements of the case had previously been in dispute.

“On the question of motive, it seems to be an act of retribution,” he said.

In July, Crown prosecutor Linda Mason told the court that Duffy had been told by another man to “punish” Mr Turner amid claims he had been involved in a house fire.

She also said Duffy heard allegations that Mr Turner, 22, had made inappropriate sexual advances to an underage girl when he formed a plan to murder him.

Ms Mason said Duffy wrapped a 12-gauge shotgun in a motorcycle cloth before driving Mr Turner to Five Mile Beach for a night of drinking. After they left the beach, about 4.30am on April 14, 2019, the pair pulled up on the side of the road at Richmond – with Mr Turner urinating and Duffy retrieving the gun.

Ms Mason said after shooting Mr Turner in the head, Duffy drove away and left the body by the roadside.

Duffy will return to court on October 16.