Prisoner’s Judge Judy quip before murder sentence
A QUEENSLAND prisoner who killed body-in-a-barrel murderer Zlatko Sikorsky during a violent jailhouse bashing has made a bizarre quip in court after admitting to delivering the fatal blow.
Sikorsky was on remand at Wolston Correctional Centre awaiting trial for killing his teenage girlfriend Larissa Beilby when he was attacked by
Isaac James Martin in November 2020.
Martin was alleged to have struck his fellow inmate in the head, causing fatal injuries.
Sikorsky, 37, died in hospital days later.
At Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday, Martin pleaded guilty to a single count of unlawful striking causing death on November 10, 2020.
Martin, who represented himself during the arraignment, made a bizarre quip to Supreme Court Justice Peter Callaghan as his matter was adjourned for sentence.
“Just out of curiosity, how many episodes of Judge Judy do you reckon you could get on cable TV here? Just so I can prepare,” Martin asked Justice Callaghan.
Audible chuckles were heard in the courtroom as Martin said: “You have a great day mate, cheers.”
The court was told Martin previously had legal representation but it was withdrawn after he refused to see a psychiatrist in prison.
Crown prosecutor Philip Mccarthy said there would have been “some potentiality” for Martin’s matter to be referred to the mental health court had a report been prepared.
He said there was no suggestion on the crown’s material that Martin was not criminally responsible for Sikorksy’s death.
“Nonetheless, that (mental health) history may be relevant to the sentencing judge,” Mr Mccarthy said.
The court was told Sikorsky’s death was captured on video.
Justice Callaghan ordered a pre-sentence report be prepared before Martin’s sentencing on April 6.