This is what a killer looks like
BROCK Wall is small.
Yesterday, heavily shackled and flanked by five security officers, he held his narrow shoulders with as much poise as possible as he shuffled into the Supreme Court in Brisbane.
His short stature was made more pronounced by the group of large men surrounding him.
His monochromatic colour scheme of white button-down shirt and cream pants was broken by a large black band around his waist, to which his handcuffs were attached.
In his hands he clutched a white A4 envelope that had been torn open.
As Wall entered, his eyes roved around the almost empty courtroom, searching for a friendly face.
There was none.
Wall had a short conversation with a Legal Aid lawyer but it was not good news – the funding body was refusing to allocate him more funds to get representation after numerous delays in the case and after Wall had previously sacked a legal team.
As he waited for Justice Ann Lyons to enter, he held his head up, his cropped brown hair and light stubble prominent.
On one occasion Wall swivelled in his chair, staring at the contingent of media gathering behind him, waiting for the case to start.
Wall ignored the two female detectives who arrested him for the brutal murder of his former girlfriend in February, 2015.
When Wall was asked by Justice Lyons how he was likely to proceed, his voice was quiet but strong.
“I wish to show my remorse and enter a plea,” Wall told the court. He then entered two guilty pleas – one to murdering Fabiana Palhares and one to killing an unborn child.
Asked if he had anything further to say, Wall said: “I am sorry.”
Wall remained silent for the rest of the matter when it was arranged to sentence him on August 6, allowing time for Ms Palhares’ brother to travel from Brazil to attend the sentencing.
With proceedings over, Wall shuffled from the courtroom with the security detail.
One of the female detectives wiped a tear from her face.